NEHB begins investigation into death of patient

The North Eastern Health Board has started an investigation into the death of a psychiatric patient who went missing while being…

The North Eastern Health Board has started an investigation into the death of a psychiatric patient who went missing while being transported between hospitals on Monday.

The body of the man (40) was recovered by sub aqua club divers from the River Shannon near Rooskey in Co Roscommon last night.

The man was being escorted by two mental health nurses to the acute mental health unit in Letterkenny on Monday after he attended a medical appointment in Dublin.

The patient, who is from Donegal, went missing when the group stopped for a rest in Roscommon. Gardaí were alerted and a search was begun.

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The man's body was transferred to University Hospital Galway where a post-mortem will take place later today.

The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mr Tim O'Malley, extended sympathy to the family of the man who died.

He said he had asked the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, DrDermot Walsh, to examine all the circumstances surrounding the tragic death and make a full report to him as a matter of urgency.