Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
RAGIC AND UNTIMELY: Today marks one year since the death of 17-year-old Sally Maaz in Mayo University Hospital.
Sally, who had a heart defect, was placed in a Covid ward at MUH despite testing negative twice. She died a number of days later.
After Sally's tragic death was publicized, two MUH staff members revealed on RTÉ Drivetime that a 'Covid gag' was in place since March 2020, weeks before Sally died. This gagging order forbade staff from speaking about 'any hospital business' outside of the hospital on pain of disciplinary action.
One year later, despite repeated calls, no councillor has raised the issue of the gagging at the HSE Forum West.
Since March 2020, as a nation we have seen report after report of carnage behind closed doors in nursing homes and hospitals across the country. As we reflect on Sally's death today, we see so clearly the deadly collusion between local and national media, politicians, the HSE, and the silent church.
One safeguard in times such as these should be the the Opposition party. But Sinn Féin has been utterly silent and complicit in the neglect and abuse of the elderly and vulnerable. This is clearly illustrated in the example of Rose Conway-Walsh, SF TD for Co. Mayo, who said in November 2020 that she has "full confidence in nursing homes", even as many elderly people lost their lives in inhumane circumstances. Families have been left with no answers, except that their loved ones 'died from Covid'.
One year on from Sally's death, a cloud of silence hangs over Mayo University Hospital and our elected representatives. We will not rest until the truth is told.
RAGIC AND UNTIMELY: Today marks one year since the death of 17-year-old Sally Maaz in Mayo University Hospital.
Sally, who had a heart defect, was placed in a Covid ward at MUH despite testing negative twice. She died a number of days later.
After Sally's tragic death was publicized, two MUH staff members revealed on RTÉ Drivetime that a 'Covid gag' was in place since March 2020, weeks before Sally died. This gagging order forbade staff from speaking about 'any hospital business' outside of the hospital on pain of disciplinary action.
One year later, despite repeated calls, no councillor has raised the issue of the gagging at the HSE Forum West.
Since March 2020, as a nation we have seen report after report of carnage behind closed doors in nursing homes and hospitals across the country. As we reflect on Sally's death today, we see so clearly the deadly collusion between local and national media, politicians, the HSE, and the silent church.
One safeguard in times such as these should be the the Opposition party. But Sinn Féin has been utterly silent and complicit in the neglect and abuse of the elderly and vulnerable. This is clearly illustrated in the example of Rose Conway-Walsh, SF TD for Co. Mayo, who said in November 2020 that she has "full confidence in nursing homes", even as many elderly people lost their lives in inhumane circumstances. Families have been left with no answers, except that their loved ones 'died from Covid'.
One year on from Sally's death, a cloud of silence hangs over Mayo University Hospital and our elected representatives. We will not rest until the truth is told.
