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A Limerick woman has apologised after mistakenly identifying a patient in a widely shared video as her mother. The HSE says the footage was not filmed at University Hospital Limerick and the patient is not the woman’s relative.
Family withdraws claim after HSE clarification
Aisling Hogan, from Caherdavin, had publicly asked the HSE for answers after sharing the clip and naming her mother, Ita Tobin, who was described in earlier accounts as an elderly person living with dementia. Ms Hogan later said the HSE informed her the patient in the recording was not Ms Tobin.
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In a Facebook post, Ms Hogan expressed regret, saying she was “deeply sorry for getting this wrong” and that she and her family had genuinely believed the woman in the video was their parent. She apologised for any upset caused.
HSE: contact made with the patient’s family
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed there has been “direct contact” with the family of the real patient and that a meeting has taken place. The spokeswoman described the footage as “deeply upsetting” and said the family had asked for their privacy and confidentiality to be respected.
Investigation and workplace impact
HSE Mid West, which initially said it was investigating the matter, stated the behaviour depicted in the video was “wholly unacceptable” and called the footage “deeply concerning”. It also clarified the recording did not take place at UHL or any HSE Mid West facility.
The regional service added that some staff have faced “criticism, abuse and threats” since the video circulated. The HSE said the incident is being handled under its Trust in Care policy, noting a preliminary screening has been completed and that appropriate processes are under way.
Privacy and next steps
Officials emphasised the importance of protecting the identified patient’s family and asked for respect for their wishes. Beyond the ongoing internal procedures, the HSE has not released further details about any individuals involved.
