Grieving family seeks inquiry into how ‘high-risk’ patient was let leave hospital

The family of a 40-years-old ‘high-risk’ city man who was found dead eight days after being reported missing from the psychiatric unit of University Hospital Galway (UHG), has called for an independent investigation.

Raymond Walsh from Mervue somehow absconded from the secure unit of the city hospital and took his own life.

An internal hospital inquiry is underway, and an inquest will take place, but the family wants a thorough investigation carried out by an independent body.

Michelle Coyne, his sister, says the family has serious concerns about the ‘lax’ security at the unit, and questions how her brother could have got out, particularly given he was considered ‘high risk’.

Ms Coyne also says the family was denied access to crucial CCTV footage, which, they feel, may have impeded the search in the initial minutes and hours after Raymond was reported missing.

“We are calling for an investigation to be carried out by an independent body,” Ms Coyne confirmed to the Galway City Tribune.

“Systematically there is something wrong up there (UHG’s psychiatric unit). I personally don’t have any qualms with any individual but the set-up up there is all wrong. Suicide is the biggest killer in Ireland and no-one seems to take it seriously.”

Mr Walsh checked himself into the psychiatric unit on the night of Thursday July 30 expressing suicidal thoughts.

He disappeared from the secure unit five days later, at about noon on Tuesday, August 4; and was found dead eight days after that, Wednesday August 12 on the grounds of St Mary’s College.

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune