Elderly patient found with €60,000 strapped to himself
An elderly patient in a Cork city hospital was found to have €60,000 strapped around him.
The man brought the money into the hospital with him in fear that it would be stolen from his home while he was away.
Garda and health sources say the man is only one of many who brought large sums of money into hospital with them in the past year.
In other cases, tens of thousands of euro have been brought in by patients worried that their houses could be burgled. And others are fearful that relatives will have access to their money in their absence.
It is thought that people — mainly elderly — concerned about the banking crisis withdrew their life savings in fear that they would lose any money they had lodged in the banks.
A garda source said the amount of money now being brought into hospitals by patients highlights how people trust total strangers in hospital with their money, instead of leaving it at home where relatives would have access to it.
But gardaí are now warning people that thieves are targeting hospitals — stealing handbags and money from lockers.
In recent months, Cork University Hospital has been targeted by thieves who travelled to Cork from another part of the country.
It is believed that some culprits travel all over the country, specifically targeting hospitals.
Gardaí warned people today that if they feel they have to take large sums of money to hospital, make sure they hand it over to hospital staff to be kept in a safe.
