Family distraught after video shows 'deeply concerning' treatment of late mother at UHL

Ita Tobin with her daughter Aisling Hogan.

A family have been left distraught after viewing "horrendous" footage of their mother's treatment at the hands of a staff member at University Hospital Limerick. 

The HSE has called the clip "deeply concerning".

Aisling Hogan said her niece came across the video on TikTok on Monday. Filmed by another patient across from her, it shows Ms Hogan's late mother, Ita Tobin, who has dementia, interacting with a health care assistant at UHL.

Ms Tobin had forgotten she had already had “teatime”. The health care assistant told her: “You are crazy. And you are making me crazy. You’ve just finished your tea.”

In the video, when presented with her “tea”, Ms Tobin seems visibly confused.

The video is believed to have been filmed last year, before Ms Tobin passed away on August 23, 2025.

Ms Hogan told the Irish Examiner the footage was “horrendous” to watch.

“The first second of that video, I burst out crying. That video was only taken a couple of weeks before she actually went into a nursing home, because her dementia was so advanced that we just could not care for her at home because she was getting out the front door and stuff,” she said.

Ms Hogan said her own daughter, who works as a health care assistant in St John’s Hospital in Limerick, was also left distraught by the video.

“We know what it's like to be dealing with dementia patients, and she knows what it's like. She's actually so distressed at the moment over this.

 “This woman obviously was aware that my mother had dementia. They're supposed to be told. They're supposed to have to know,” she said.

Ms Hogan described her mother as “the most loving parent you could ever come across”.

“If you could only hear what was written about her eulogy; she was the most intelligent woman that ever came. She was there in the community; she ran support groups for lone parents. If they needed help or anything, she'd help them tidy up.” 

Ms Hogan cared for her mother before seeking support as the dementia progressed.“My mother didn't even know my name, never mind knowing that she had ate her dinner. 

"Dementia takes everything from your brain, and I mean everything. It's like you're losing a parent twice. You’re losing them a second time when they physically die, but you're losing your parent when they have dementia”.

Ms Hogan said the family have contacted the HSE to look into the incident.

HSE response

In response to a query from the Irish Examiner, the HSE Mid-West said it was aware of the video.

“The footage is deeply concerning, and the behaviour depicted is wholly unacceptable. It falls far short of the standards of dignity, respect, and compassionate care that all patients are entitled to expect,” said the spokesperson.

It said work is under way to identify the service involved and the specific location, date, and full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“HSE Mid West is actively working to establish the facts. HSE Mid West takes all concerns regarding patient care and patient safety extremely seriously. Once the relevant service has been identified the matter will be reviewed in accordance with the HSE's patient safety and incident management framework.

“As enquiries are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.