A number of separate investigations by the Gardai, The HSE and HIQA are underway into the incident in October involving an 87 year old grandmother.
The elderly lady who is a resident of a nearby nursing home – had been admitted to the Clonmel health facility hospital with chest pains and placed in an all male ward which had five other patients.
During the night she was confronted by a naked man in his 70's who allegedly then proceeded to sexually assault her.
Due to breathing difficulties the elderly lady was unable to raise the alarm but another patient came to her rescue and alerted hospital staff.
The 87 year old subsequently gave a statement to gardaí but her family while praising the gardaí have hit out at the manner in which the hospital managed the incident.
In a statement to Tipp FM – South Tipperary General Hospital South Tipperary General Hospital said it takes all matters of patient care very seriously.
According to a spokesperson “any incident of an untoward nature is brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities – in addition to the hospital initiating its own review -in line with strict protocols”.
They go on to state that “In providing support to those affected by any such incident, STGH has apologised to the patient and family in relation to a matter it recently brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána.”
The spokesperson added that the HSE “does not comment on individual cases, in addition to having due regard to an ongoing Garda investigation.”
Meanwhile the issue was also raised in the Dail today during Leaders Questions – Labour Minister Brendan Howlin confirmed that gardai are investigating the matter. Minister Howlin told the house that the ” male patient was moved to a side room and and has been approved for long care and currently remains in hospital where he is monitored 24/7 by security staff pending acceptance by a healthcare facility that is appropriate to his needs. He added that the matter is “properly being investigated by An Garda Síochána.”
