Former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has called for Gardaí to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 death of a Dungloe man.
Joe McCarron (67) sadly died at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday after a brave fight against Covid-19.
Mr McCarron had been in hospital for a number of days after contracting the virus.
His case received national and international attention when anti-vaccine protestors, claiming to be members of the ‘Common Law’ group, encouraged him to sign himself out of the hospital on Tuesday week last.
Even the Taoiseach Mr Martin slammed the removal of Mr McCarron from hospital saying: “If you get it (Covid-19), you should treat it as very serious.
“Certainly, it is outrageous that anyone would, in an ill-informed way, be advising people to leave hospital. It endangers that person’s health.”
The protestors had claimed that Mr McCarron was being forced into the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.
The protestors, led by Italian immigrant, Antonio Mureddu Gravegliu, of the so-called Freedom on the Land Movement, filmed Mr McCarron’s release from the hospital.
In the video, posted on social media, doctors are heard pleading with Mr McCarron to remain in hospital.
However, the protestors tell Mr McCarron that he will die if he remains in the hospital.
Mr McCarron was released but was rushed back into hospital two days later on Thursday last after having severe breathing difficulties.
He was initially put on a ventilator, however, his condition deteriorated in recent days and he passed away early yesterday.
Mr McCarron is understood to be the second member of the ‘Common Law’ group to die with Covid.
Mr McCarron’s family released a statement after it had been rumoured he had passed away last week.
His family also slammed those who helped take him out of the hospital while he was in such a vulnerable condition.
A family spokesman said Joe’s wife, Una, wanted to apologise to the hospital staff for what had happened.
He also slammed those who helped remove Joe from hospital as “reckless.”
The spokesman said “Una would like to thank the staff and apologise for the actions of Joe’s so-called reckless friends earlier in the week.
“They did not help Joe’s recovery in any way. We would encourage everyone to follow proper medical advice.”
Mr McCarron’s family expressed their anger at those who coaxed him out of hospital during his first stay and now former Minister Shatter suggested that Gardai launch an investigation into the incident.
Former Justice Minister, Shatter, suggested that Gardai launch an investigation into the incident.
It is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly cause serious harm to another.The idiots who hauled a seriously sick Covid patient out of Letterkenny Hospital earlier this week endangering his life shld be arrested by Gardai and a criminal prosecution initiated.
— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) September 18, 2021
Mr Shatter wrote in a tweet back on September 18: “It is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly cause serious harm to another.
“The idiots who hauled a seriously sick COVID patient out of Letterkenny Hospital earlier this week endangering his life shld [sic] be arrested by Gardai and a criminal prosecution initiated.”
My condolences to the family of Joe McCarron who died yesterday in Letterkenny Hospital. The Gardai should clarify whether his being wrongly encouraged by third parties, contrary to medical advice, to leave the hospital earlier this month is the subject of a Garda investigation. https://t.co/UjHBfAO17e
— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) September 25, 2021
In a follow-up tweet this morning, after it was confirmed that Mr McCarron died, Mr Shatter added: “My condolences to the family of Joe McCarron who died yesterday in Letterkenny Hospital. The Gardai should clarify whether his being wrongly encouraged by third parties, contrary to medical advice, to leave the hospital earlier this month is the subject of a Garda investigation.”
Funeral details for Mr McCarron have been confirmed in the last number of hours.
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