Beacon Hospital staff 'shocked and disappointed' at Prime Time allegations

The CEO of the Beacon Hospital says the staff were shocked and disappointed by the allegations made by Prime Time that a staff member accepted gifts from a medical supplier.

The employee has resigned from the hospital and is the subject of a criminal investigation.

Members of the Oireachtas Health Committee earlier expressed their disappointment at the failure of St Vincent's staff to attend the hearing, pending an internal investigation.

Chief Executive of the Beacon Hospital, Michael Cullen, said: "I would like to say how shocked and disappointed the entire team and staff at Beacon Hospital were following RTÉ's Prime Time Investigates programme.

"Our hospital has strict procurement policies and procedures in place, and any alleged breach of these is taken extremely seriously."