Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley has called for a thorough investigation, following reports that an ambulance travelling with a patient, who subsequently passed away, broke down on the M18 near Shannon, while en route to hospital.
Deputy Dooley says the incident highlights the deteriorating quality of the fleet of vehicles being operated by the National Ambulance Service which is putting patient safety at risk.
“I was shocked to hear media reports this afternoon that an ambulance broke down while transporting a gravely ill patient to hospital. First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away following this tragic incident. This incident has horrified communities across Clare,” said Deputy Dooley.
“While it is not possible to say at this time whether the breakdown of the ambulance was a contributory factor leading to the death of the patient, it nonetheless is completely unacceptable that an ambulance rushing to hospital with a gravely ill patient would breakdown in transit.
“I am calling for a full and throughout investigation to be undertaken by HIQA in order to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident,” he said.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.