Widower, 89, is killed after being attacked with a Zimmer frame on hospital ward trends now
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An 89-year-old widower died after he was violently attacked by a fellow patient with a Zimmer frame in a hospital ward.
Farmer and grandfather-of-eight Matthew Healy was attacked in front of patients in a general ward at Mercy University Hospital (MUH), Cork, shortly after 5am yesterday.
The attack was witnessed by shocked patients in a six-bed ward and heroic staff rushed to his aid after being alerted by shouts and screams.
The hospital staff reportedly intervened to try to stop the attack on the pensioner.
Matthew Healy, 89, died after he was attacked with a Zimmer frame in hospital
It is believed it took several staff members to drag the attacker – reported to be a fellow in-patient – away from Mr Healy’s bed.
The Garda Armed Support Unit was called and arrested a male patient, who was being questioned last night.
Mr Healy, from Berrings, Co. Cork, was pronounced dead at the scene and the ward was cordoned off to allow for a full forensic and technical examination.
A postmortem will be carried out by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster.
The 32-year-old man who was arrested is from Churchfield, on the north side of Cork city.
The men were not known to each other beforehand.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Looney said the people of Berrings were saddened and shocked by the death of Mr Healy, whom he described as a ‘pure gentleman’.
Mr Healy was recently widowed, having buried
