Family fights a long battle to get answers from State bodies over their sister’s death

Michael Clifford examines the case of a Tipperary family who claim both the health service and the gardaí failed their sister when she needed their help — a failure which, they say, ultimately led to the loss of her life

Catherine Davis was in a bad way. The alcoholism that had dogged her adult life was at a critical stage. Her family decided to seek help.

On Thursday, June 14, 2007, Catherine’s brother Michael Farrell drove her to St Michael psychiatric unit in Clonmel, which is located on the grounds of South Tipperary General Hospital.