Mayo family left in shock over hospital theft

A Mayo family have been left shocked and angered to learn that a staff member at Mayo University Hospital (MUH), who has been accused of stealing a large sum of cash from an elderly patient, has been allowed to return to work.

Gardaí have confirmed that a criminal investigation into the matter has been carried out and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In April of last year, the elderly woman had €1,200 stolen from her case. The woman took ill suddenly and had not realised the sum of money was still in her handbag following an earlier bank withdrawal.

“When she was leaving hospital the next day, the money was gone and we were able to identify the staff member,” said the victim’s daughter. The matter was reported to the hospital and Gardaí.

A criminal investigation was launched and it is understood that the suspect was suspended from work. However, the victim’s family have been left flabbergasted upon learning that the staff member returned to work at the Castlebar hospital last week.

“Our objection is that this person can even be allowed back to work, where she can once again have almost free reign to enter cubicles, or anywhere, and access to patient possessions,” said the daughter of the victim.

The woman said she contacted the hospital who told her they are unable to comment as a criminal investigation is ongoing.

“We do not understand why she is even allowed back,” she stated. “Additionally, we would ask where are the patient rights in all of this?

“Surely the unsuspecting patients have some rights also, or at least the right to know that a staff member, who is currently the subject of a criminal investigation for theft, is once again wandering around,” the woman added.

She said the entire incident has been extremely traumatic for her mother, and the family are galled that the suspect in the incident is back working at the scene of the alleged crime.

“It really is something that shouldn’t be allowed to happen, and the hospital quoting employee rights as the basis for taking her back is nothing short of a disgrace. There is surely something wrong with the systems somewhere.”

The HSE has yet to respond to the Western People’s request for a comment.