The South Eastern Health Board has begun an investigation into an alleged incident in which an injured man walked over 25 miles home from hospital.
Mr Jim Dillon (20) was treated for head injuries on Wednesday in St Luke's Hospital Kilkenny and walked back to his home in Carlow after he was told an ambulance could not bring him back, according to Progressive Democrat Senator Jim Gibbons.
Mr Dillon was accompanied by his mother and sister and does not own a car, Mr Gibbons said.
The health board said it received no call requesting transport from St Luke's and there are computer records to show this. Two ambulances went from Carlow to Kilkenny on the evening and would have been able to accommodate people on the return journey, the health board added.
Mr Gibbons said when the family left the Kilkenny hospital they made inquiries about getting a taxi and were told the fare would cost about £40. The family did not have money with them, he added.
"All the family are interested in is an apology. They'd hate to think this could happen to anyone else," Mr Gibbons said.