Limerick hospital turns away €5m patron McManus

HE donated over €5 million to Limerick’s Mid-Western Hospital - but when JP McManus called to see a patient, security guards turned him away as it was after visiting hours.

JP had called to see his friend, former hurling star Pat Hartigan, who recently underwent surgery at the hospital.

Visiting hours are from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

JP arrived between 8.30pm and 9pm but was stopped on a stairwell by a security guard.

JP gracefully accepted the ruling and left the hospital without making a fuss, according to onlookers.

Mr Hartigan, who featured on the 1973 Limerick team, the last to win the All-Ireland senior hurling title, has since been discharged.

He said yesterday: “I only heard something about it this morning. I was only in for a few days.”

Staff said visiting times are strictly adhered to due to the numbers of people calling to the hospital.

Allowances are made for relatives of people who are very ill.

The new radiotherapy unit has been a major beneficiary of the JP McManus Golf Classic.

The classic has donated €5m to the development of the hospital’s facilities.

The contribution to the radiotherapy unit forced the Government to revise its policy of not giving the go-ahead for a radiotherapy unit in Limerick.

The recent JP McManus Golf Classic in Adare Manor raised €30m, which will be divided among charities in the mid-west region.