A family are calling for an independent inquiry into the death of a man after he was stabbed on a Dublin hospital ward in 2010.

Retired CIE Executive James McGrane was stabbed during a stay in Tallaght hospital by a fellow patient in  May of 2010 and in January of 2011 he passed away from "delayed death due to stabbing".

Ahead of a two day hearing at Dublin City Coroner’s Court  Mr McGrane’s family have called for an independent inquiry into his death and have urged the HSE to make changes so a similar incident does not happen again.

James McGrane’s daughters Sandra Freehill and Audrey O’Farrell spoke to Jonathan Healy on Lunchtime today about the appeal.

Mr McGrane's daughers detailed the last eight months of his life and the suffering he went through: "Pneumonia was the final cause of death but that was followed by so many other complications.

"He spent eight months of pure hell going through all the complications that were associated with the injury that he had sustained. He had two heart attacks, countless episodes of pneumonia, breathing tubes that were constantly dislodged and had to be re-inserted which was extremely uncomfortable and traumatic. He had bed sores, that stopped his rehabilitation and that never healed right up until the time he died. He had MRSA and nightmares and flashbacks throughout the whole eight months."

The family stated that they were given full assurances by the HSE that there would be a full investigation, despite the fact that the body never spoke to Mr McGrane, according to the daughters. The family were also provided with terms of reference.

Five and a half years later, the report has not been completed.

The HSE extended their sympathies to the family but they were not in a position to comment pending the upcoming coroner's inquest.

You can listen to the full interview here: