Pensioner could have gone to intensive care bed in Cavan

The Tánaiste revealed this afternoon that an intensive care bed was vacant at Cavan hospital when the late Patrick Walsh was transferred to Monaghan.

The Minister for Health expressed her sympathies to the family of Mr Walsh and said his death should not have happened.

Mary Harney told the Dáil the circumstances surrounding the tragedy were being investigated.

Ms Harney said: “Mr Declan Carey, a consultant surgeon at Belfast City Hospital will carry out an independent and external review of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Walsh’s death.”