'People are treated like animals', Vigil held at University Hospital Limerick

A VIGIL was held outside University Hospital Limerick on Saturday to remember those who have been affected by overcrowding at the hospital. 

The event was organised by The Mid-West Hospital Campaign to "offer support to all who have been impacted by overcrowding".

People gathered outside the gates of the hospital with lights and candles. Flowers were also placed down to remember all those affected by overcrowding. 

In December alone, a total of 1,528 patients were waiting for a bed on trolleys throughout the hospital. 

Over 50 people gathered at UHL for the vigil including some who have been personally affected by the situation. 

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Melanie Cleary from Corbally spoke of her 21 year-old daughter Eve who passed away hours after she was discharged from the hospital following 17 hours on a trolley. 

Eve's cause of death was cardiac arrest due to extensive bilateral pulmonary thrombolisation and deep vein thrombosis (clots).

In 2021, a verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at the inquest into the young woman's death. 

Melanie told the Limerick Leader that she believes Eve's death was preventable. 

"If she had somewhere else to go, maybe this wouldn't have happened. She had her whole life ahead of her.

"I want accountability. All I want is an 'I'm sorry' or 'we will make sure it doesn't happen again' but we didn't get that". 

Julian Knockton from Kileely spoke at the vigil about his father, who passed away at the age of 86 following surgery. 

Patrick had cancer and required surgery however, doctors said if he had a growth removed it would kill him. Julian alleges that doctors at the hospital carried out the surgery without the consent of his family. 

Julian said his father caught MRSA and Covid-19 in hospital and he passed away a few weeks later.

The UHL porter said people are "treated like animals" in the hospital.