Heartless thieves behind second theft at maternity hospital

A second expectant mother had personal belongings stolen after being admitted to Limerick University Maternity Hospital, it has emerged.

Co Clare woman, Jill Leonard, was robbed of her wallet and smart phone on Aug 24, following the birth of her son, Kane.

And yesterday, Catherine Carmody, from Patrickswell, Co Limerick revealed she had a purse containing €45 stolen on Aug 15, prior to the birth of her son, Max.

Ms Carmody said on learning of the theft she went into shock which delayed the delivery of her baby. She said she was so shocked by the incident that her labour stopped.

She said: “I was in labour and was told to go for a walk [around the hospital] to help speed things up. But when I returned my purse had been stolen and they [the thief] had gone through all my personal things. They [the staff] later found my purse in the toilet. The doctor told me and I went into shock. The labour stopped and I did not have Max until Saturday — three days later.”

Ms Carmody said: “This happened during visiting hours and there were three other ladies in the room at the time. But they had curtains up as they had visitors and did not see anything. I was told that this was an ongoing problem at the hospital. I spoke to the gardaí. We should have been warned in advance.”

Ms Carmody said nobody at the hospital had given her advance warning about the safe-keeping of valuables and there were no signs up.

A spokesman for the HSE said there were signs in place throughout the hospital, but they were reviewing the situation with a view to providing more.

He said: “People are advised not to bring valuables into the hospital or to send them home, and the giving of this advice is being addressed currently at all staff meetings to ensure that it’s happening. It is most regrettable that Ms Carmody was not advised in this manner. No comment can be offered on the clinical issue raised as it would constitute a breach of patient confidentiality.”