Man in court on hospital death rap..
Nursing union boss calls for security audit after incident
A MAN is due in court this morning charged in connection with a fatal attack in hospital of pensioner Matthew Healy.
Mr Healy, 89, died at Mercy University Hospital in Cork on Sunday after he was allegedly beaten with a walking frame in the ward in which he was staying.
A man was arrested at the scene and is due before Cork District Court today.
Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for a full security audit of all hospitals following the shocking incident.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said their “thoughts and sympathies” are with the families at the centre of the “tragic incident” at the hospital.
She added: “We have been offering our union’s full support to members in the Mercy and will continue to do so.
“In light of this awful incident, the INMO is once again repeating our call for a full review and audit of security systems and protocols in Irish hospitals.
“We haven’t had a security audit of our hospitals since 2016. It is time now for the HSE to complete a full audit of what measures are in place in each hospital.”
Mr Healy was named locally as a retired farmer from Berrings in Co Cork. He retired about 16 years ago and was described as a gentle and pleasant man. His wife Delia died early last month.
The incident during which the pensioner lost his life occurred in a six-bed general ward at the hospital at about 5.30am.
A male nurse who tried to intervene incurred minor injuries.
ARREST
The Armed Support Unit arrived at the scene and arrested a male patient.
It is understood neither the patient or Mr Healy were known to each other prior to being in hospital.
The hospital is providing counselling services to patients and staff affected by the incident.
Patients who saw the attack unfold have been moved to another ward.
A full probe has been launched in to the incident.
Fianna Fail councillor Michael Looney said Mr Healy was deeply respected in the Berrings community.
He described the tragedy as an “untimely death for one of the old greats”.
Mr Looney continued: “He had a lovely potato run on Saturday mornings and he would go house to house with a word for everyone.
“He was spot-on on time and rigid to his duty. He was a real gent and it is hard to come to terms with it.
“He was the same gentleman from the day I met him to the day he was deceased.”
Mr Healy is survived by his two adult sons and a daughter. He also had eight grandchildren.
He was a real gent and it is hard to come to terms with CLLR MICHAEL LOONEY TRIBUTE TO MR HEALY