Mayo University Hospital
Coroner urged to cast his investigation net as wide as possible
A 69-year-old patient who left his bed at Mayo University Hospital in the early hours of January 17 last was subsequently found drowned, an inquest hearing was told today.
Barrister Roger Murray of Callan Tansey & Co. told a pre-full inquest hearing that Patrick Rowland, Lahardane, Ballina, had serious pneumonia and was being cared for at Mayo University Hospital – and his family was “satisfied he was in the safest place.”
The late Mr. Patrick Rowland
Mr. Murray said the circumstances of how their loved one was allowed to leave hospital was of significant concern to the deceased’s family.
He described Mr. Rowland, a retired member of management at Baxter Healthcare, Castlebar, as an extremely hardworking, well travelled and caring man.
Counsel added that Mr. Rowland had been a trainer and selector with Lahardane GAA Club and was well known in GAA circles.
Mr. Murray told the hearing that one of the deceased’s sons, Cormac, went to pick his father in Castlebar after receiving a call from him – but he could not find him.
After extensive searches, the body of the father of three was recovered some days later from the Castlebar River.
The medical cause of death was given to the brief hearing as asphyxia due to drowning.
Counsel urged the Coroner for Mayo, Pat O’Connor, to cast his investigation net as wide as possible by securing medical data relating to Mr. Rowland’s treatment, as well as hospital and other CCTV and street camera footage as evidence.
Mr. Murray told the coroner: “Your enquiries should focus on the circumstances that led him to leave hospital, his subsequent movements and efforts to find him.”
Mr. Padraic Brennan, RDJ Solicitors, representing MUH and hospital staff, said he was in the process of getting statements from hospital staff as well as CCTV footage.
He added that a hospital review team is in the process of conducting an extensive review into the matter.
After recording a verdict of death from asphyxia due to drowning, the coroner adjourned the substantive hearing to December 18 next for mention.