Prolonged stay for Athlone man in hospital "grossly unfair"

The case of a 54-year-old man from Athlone who has endured a prolonged stay in Tullamore Hospital for a six-and-half-month period has been raised during Dáil question time by Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath Sorca Clarke (pictured).

The Deputy described the situation as "grossly unfair" and said the patient described it as having a "profound impact" on his mental health.

The man was initially admitted to Tullamore Hospital in 2025, the Deputy said, "without access to the treatment he required".

"He was told he would be transferred to St. James's Hospital for specialist care but it has since transpired that there is no pathway or any arrangement in place for that to happen," the Deputy added.

Deputy Clarke said that the man's treatment is "now complete" and "he is simply having his wounds dressed".

"That is the only reason he remains in the hospital six and a half months after first going in, despite repeated representations and efforts from the medical staff in Tullamore. He is sitting in a hospital where somebody else is waiting for the bed he is occupying," Deputy Clarke stated.

The Sinn Féin Deputy confirmed that her office had contacted the HSE, the Minister and the hospitals but had "received no response".

"I implore the Minister to address this. Nobody should be left in this situation. There is a solution. The medical professionals in St. James's Hospital are aware of the man's situation. Tullamore hospital is aware of his situation. Things need to line up at this point because he cannot continue," the Deputy stated.

Responding to Deputy Clarke's questioning, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said she was "unaware of the case details" and "was not in a position to comment", but confirmed that she would "flag the case" with the Minister.