asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the late Private Thomas Sheehan, 3 Emmet Street, Tipperary, who joined the National Army in February, 1927, died in St. Bricin's Hospital on the 14th May, 1928; that his death is alleged to have been due to inattention during his illness, which commenced on the 25th March, 1928, while he was stationed at Dundalk; that it is further alleged that, although his temperature was 102, he was requested to walk a distance of about 200 yards to the doctor's quarters; that he was sent to hospital in Dundalk, and that during a period of one week which he spent there he was not medically attended and received unsuitable food; that he was then sent to Portobello Hospital, from which, on the 5th April, 1928, he was rushed to St. Bricin's Hospital in a dying condition, and died there on the date stated; and whether, in view of these allegations, the Minister will have inquiries instituted into the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Private Sheehan.
(CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS). (ORAL ANSWERS). - TIPPERARY SOLDIER'S DEATH.
I am aware that Private Thomas Sheehan died in St. Bricin's Hospital on the 14th May, 1928. The circumstances surrounding his death have been investigated. He was admitted to the Barracks Hospital in Dundalk on the 16th March, 1928, suffering from influenza. He was discharged to duty on the 21st March, 1928. He was again admitted to hospital in Dundalk on the 26th March, 1928. His temperature then was 100. The Medical Officer sent an Army Medical Services Orderly to assist him from his quarters to the hospital, where a bed had already been prepared for him. The distance is about 120 yards. It is incorrect to say that he did not receive proper attention at Dundalk or that he was given unsuitable food. As he was unfit for any but a fluid diet, he was given milk, lemon drinks, bovril and tea. He was transferred to Portobello Barracks Hospital on the 2nd April, 1928, where better facilities for dealing with his case were available. A Medical Officer accompanied him in the ambulance. On the 5th April, 1928, he was transferred to St. Bricin's Hospital, which is the principal military hospital in Dublin. It is incorrect to say that he was rushed there in a dying condition. His transfer was effected in order that he should receive the best possible medical attention. The patient's case was one in which a slowly developing but progressive broncho-pneumonic condition was present, increasing in extent to the hour of death. The medical documents show a very closely detailed account of the patient's signs, symptoms and treatment from the first day of his illness. His case received the greatest care and consideration, and I strongly repudiate the aspersions which the Deputy's question casts on the officers of the Army Medical Service.
In view of the seriousness of the case, will the Minister state why there was so much delay in bringing the man from Dundalk to Dublin in the first instance, and, secondly, when he was being brought, why he was not brought to St. Bricin's directly instead of being brought to Portobello Hospital?
I gather that at first it was diagnosed as an ordinary case of influenza.