Family demand answers as patient killed while walking to takeaway
Michael Doran, 69, from Templemore, Co Tipperary, died as a result of injuries sustained when he was struck by a vehicle in Dooradoyle, Limerick, at about 7.45pm on St Stephen’s Day.
His relatives yesterday expressed anger and frustration at the lack of information provided by the HSE about the circumstances of his death.
One of the victim’s sons, Johnny Doran, said his family was struggling to comprehend how a patient in the care of the hospital had been allowed to leave the building.
“My father was on medication,” said Mr Doran.
“He’s meant to be in a secure area. Yet he was able to leave the hospital unchecked and got killed.
“We are only looking for answers but so far we feel we are being pushed aside.”
It is understood that Mr Doran left the hospital in his pyjamas and an overcoat and had walked a few hundred metres in the direction of a takeaway. He was pushing a wheelchair at the time.
The father of 13 children had been a patient at Limerick Regional Hospital since December 22, when he was admitted for treatment for a respiratory problem.
Johnny Doran said he last saw his father when he visited him in hospital on Christmas Day.
“He was in great form and very content.”
He said hospital staff had told him his father had not asked to leave the hospital or to discharge himself.
In a statement, the HSE expressed sympathy to Mr Doran’s family.
“The hospital will co-operate fully with the Garda investigation into this tragic accident and with the coroner’s inquest,” a statement read.
The HSE confirmed it would also conduct its own internal inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Doran’s death, including an examination of CCTV footage from the hospital.
The HSE said hospital staff were not involved in restricting any individual’s personal liberty.
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