Louth TD again calls for Covid inquiry into Dealgan House deaths

Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd has again reiterated his call for a Covid inquiry that would encompass an investigation into the 23 deaths that occurred at Dealgan House in Dundalk. 

Speaking in the Dail on Thursday. Deputy O’Dowd said:

“Covid has taken the lives of over 9,500 citizens to date in our country. It was a shock and an appalling vista to all of those families who lost those loved ones. 

“As a supporter of the Government, I want to know what we are going to do in relation to learning the lessons from the deaths from Covid. Ninety per cent of those deaths were people aged over 65.

“Older people are queuing up now in doctors' surgeries right around the country to get their welcome Covid injection to help them if and when it comes again in a pandemic. A new pandemic could well be on the way.

“There is one nursing home, Dealgan House, which during Covid was the only nursing home in the country where the HSE had significant care and governance issues arising. Families lost 23 family members in that nursing home. 

“The HSE went in there for a reason. We do not know the full facts. The only way we will find the facts is through an inquiry into that nursing home. Would the Tánaiste agree it is time to have that inquiry now?

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In response the Tánaiste Micheál Martin said:

“The Government has undertaken a lot of work in respect of an evaluation of how the nation did in respect of Covid-19, which was an extremely traumatic and devastating time for many families across the country who lost their loved ones. 

“No doubt vaccination changed the course of the pandemic and enabled us to live with Covid into the future, but it still is a dangerous virus, particularly for older people. That is why vaccination is essential, in my view, and why we urge people to get their annual vaccination in respect of Covid and the flu.

“There will be a national evaluation. We are looking for personnel to lead-up that evaluation but much of the work has been done in respect of it.

“In terms of specific inquiries into specific locations, that is a matter on which a decision has not been made. Whether one covers that under the overall national evaluation or a different mechanism for the specific issues that the Deputy has raised is something the Government is open to considering.”