Ireland Case No. 4264Negligence (personal injury) · Co. Kilkenny
Elderly patient settles High Court action after hospital ceiling collapse in Kilkenny
Hugh O'Donnell, 76, settled a High Court action against St Luke's Hospital and the HSE after a water-saturated ceiling collapsed on his bed in the critical care unit in August 2025, causing abrasions, lacerations and alleged psychiatric injuries. Mr Justice Paul Coffey noted the case was resolved with expedition and settlement details were confidential.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports7 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe water continued to flow after the collapse (irishtimes.com)
- causePart of the ceiling which had become saturated with water gave way and collapsed (irishtimes.com)
- courtIt was claimed the ceiling had been permitted to remain in a dangerous, hazardous and defective condition (irishtimes.com)
- courtIt was contended there was a failure to ensure the ceiling was attended to in a timely manner (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Coffey said he was delighted the case had been resolved with such expedition (irishtimes.com)
- courtDetails of the settlement were confidential (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe HSE said in correspondence that it regretted the incident occurred (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Dec2025Elderly patient injured when hospital ceiling collapsed on his bed, court hears
Reports the settlement of the High Court negligence action, noting the HSE held what is believed to be the first patient safety open disclosure meeting under the new framework, and that the case was case-managed for expedition due to the plaintiff's general health.
victim, 76, male, irish (judged from name)