A mother who received an ‘intimidating’ letter from the HSE after she abandoned her disabled daughter in a hospital has said she would welcome a personal apology from the organisation. 

Last week, Lunchtime Live spoke to a woman called Anna, whose daughter is in her early 20s and has an intellectual disability. 

Anna’s daughter has previously attacked her stepmother, tells serious lies and has stolen from her grandmother. 

Anna fears she might attack her two younger siblings if given the chance and worries she might die from the stress of caring for her. 

Although the family contacted the HSE for help numerous times, urging them to find her a residential placement; however, none was found for her. 

Anna decided she had no choice but to abandon her daughter in the emergency department of her local hospital. 

Afterwards, the HSE sent her a letter which stated that, “You should be aware there is a legal obligation for parents to support their child financially if the child is dependent”.

It added that if a child has a disability, this obligation continues “indefinitely”. 

Anna described it as a “bullying letter” and the HSE has since told the Irish Examiner that, “We apologise sincerely for any upset caused”.

However, they have not contacted Anna herself. 

 “I personally have not received an apology at all,” she told Lunchtime Live.

“That response was given to a journalist who made enquiries, so I certainly haven't received a personal apology myself. 

“It's only because a journalist shared that with me that I'm aware of that apology at all.” 

Anna described the letter as “very devastating”, adding that it is something that has “hung over me”. 

“It has stuck with me since receiving it,” she said. 

“I also know it has affected many families around the country who are equally intimidated and worried.” 

Anna added that it is a “real sign of the culture within the HSE” and she is aware of other families who have been treated in a similar fashion. 

“I'm not an expert on these things,” she said. 

“But the person who wrote that letter, who was responsible for writing that letter, I think could make an apology to me directly for the intent in that letter. 

“And that's what I would like, whether it will happen or not is another thing.”

Main image: A sign for the Irish Health Service Executive. Picture by: Alamy.com.