Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
BURKES RESPOND TO RECENT VIDEO BY PAUL LAWLESS OUTSIDE HOSPITAL
We have received thousands of messages from people in Mayo and further afield after we spoke out on the cruel death of our neighbour in Mayo University Hospital (MUH).
This gentleman was a single farmer in his 80s who lived alone. He was admitted to the Male Ward at MUH with a treatable infection. Instead of being looked after, he was pumped on Haloperidol and other anti-psychotics and sedatives that left him in a stupor morning, noon, and night. Staff routinely left food by his bed where he could not reach it. They would then wheel it away untouched. We raised concerns on multiple occasions. Staff said the patient’s treatment “had been agreed” and even called security when matters reached a crisis. The County Coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald has refused to open a public inquiry into this man’s untimely death.
Thousand of families share similar stories of vile neglect in hospitals and nursing homes.
Local Aontú TD Paul Lawless however has remained silent on this issue.
In a video posted to Facebook last week from MUH he commended the hospital staff, claimed that the ongoing issues in the hospital were due to inadequate staffing and resourcing, and said he was calling on the Minister of Health to “step in.”
It is unbelievable that Paul Lawless could speak outside Mayo University Hospital and yet say nothing about the inhumane treatment of vulnerable elderly patients within this hospital.
Not a word was said on the well known and widely documented culture of death within the hospital. Not a word was said about the use of psychotic drugs and sedatives to hasten the death of vulnerable patients. Not a word was said about the routine denial of food and drink to those who do not have the ability to care for themselves.
The above has been confirmed over and over again, not only by those with personal experience and countless eyewitness accounts, but by the testimony of staff within the hospital itself.
For years politicians of every stripe have made empty statements about staffing and resources at Mayo University Hospital, but have refused to speak the truth about the cruelty inflicted routinely on the most vulnerable. Paul Lawless’ words outside the hospital last week were simply more of the same.
People are fearful of presenting at Mayo University Hospital because of what awaits them there, in particular if they are elderly or have few relatives to support them. There has been widespread outrage within Mayo and across the country in recent months at the accounts of those who have suffered appalling abuse within this hospital.
The words of Paul Lawless and other politicians, pointing to staffing and resourcing, are designed to distract and deflect from the main issue. We urge people not to be deceived.
Should you ever be in a situation such as the above in Mayo University Hospital, you need a representative who will be your voice. You need a politician who will be unafraid to stand up for you and defend you. At election time, vote for such a person - not for one who is unwilling to simply speak the truth.
BURKES RESPOND TO RECENT VIDEO BY PAUL LAWLESS OUTSIDE HOSPITAL
We have received thousands of messages from people in Mayo and further afield after we spoke out on the cruel death of our neighbour in Mayo University Hospital (MUH).
This gentleman was a single farmer in his 80s who lived alone. He was admitted to the Male Ward at MUH with a treatable infection. Instead of being looked after, he was pumped on Haloperidol and other anti-psychotics and sedatives that left him in a stupor morning, noon, and night. Staff routinely left food by his bed where he could not reach it. They would then wheel it away untouched. We raised concerns on multiple occasions. Staff said the patient’s treatment “had been agreed” and even called security when matters reached a crisis. The County Coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald has refused to open a public inquiry into this man’s untimely death.
Thousand of families share similar stories of vile neglect in hospitals and nursing homes.
Local Aontú TD Paul Lawless however has remained silent on this issue.
In a video posted to Facebook last week from MUH he commended the hospital staff, claimed that the ongoing issues in the hospital were due to inadequate staffing and resourcing, and said he was calling on the Minister of Health to “step in.”
It is unbelievable that Paul Lawless could speak outside Mayo University Hospital and yet say nothing about the inhumane treatment of vulnerable elderly patients within this hospital.
Not a word was said on the well known and widely documented culture of death within the hospital. Not a word was said about the use of psychotic drugs and sedatives to hasten the death of vulnerable patients. Not a word was said about the routine denial of food and drink to those who do not have the ability to care for themselves.
The above has been confirmed over and over again, not only by those with personal experience and countless eyewitness accounts, but by the testimony of staff within the hospital itself.
For years politicians of every stripe have made empty statements about staffing and resources at Mayo University Hospital, but have refused to speak the truth about the cruelty inflicted routinely on the most vulnerable. Paul Lawless’ words outside the hospital last week were simply more of the same.
People are fearful of presenting at Mayo University Hospital because of what awaits them there, in particular if they are elderly or have few relatives to support them. There has been widespread outrage within Mayo and across the country in recent months at the accounts of those who have suffered appalling abuse within this hospital.
The words of Paul Lawless and other politicians, pointing to staffing and resourcing, are designed to distract and deflect from the main issue. We urge people not to be deceived.
Should you ever be in a situation such as the above in Mayo University Hospital, you need a representative who will be your voice. You need a politician who will be unafraid to stand up for you and defend you. At election time, vote for such a person - not for one who is unwilling to simply speak the truth.
