The family of a man only found out he may have died from the deadly Ebola virus after hearing the story on the RTE television news.
The late Dessie Quinn.
The heartbroken family of Dessie Quinn, 44, from Mountcharles, had presumed he died from malaria for which he was being treated since returning from Africa two weeks ago.
But his family were shocked to discover that HSE officials were suspicious he may have contracted the disease.
Local priest Fr Adrian Gavigan, told Donegal Daily that it was “very poor form” that the family had not been contacted.
“The first they heard of it was when someone watched the six one news. Before that, they had just presumed that Dessie had died from malaria.
“Nothing had suggested anything different and for his family to find out like this was very poor form in my opinion.
“This is a small place and a phonecall to the family would have gone a long way. Instead they find out by watching the news on television,” he said.
Fr Gavigan said he now hoped that Dessie was not suffering from the Ebola virus when he passed away.
“I hope and pray for the family that this is not the case.
“I’m not sure how this has all come about. Perhaps if this was a year ago and Ebola was not being talked about, then we would not have this situation now.
“There was never any mention of Ebola and everyone just presumed that he was showing all the signs of malaria.
“I’m not sure how this has come out or how the hospital have come to this conclusion. I just hope for the family’s sake that this is not the case,” he said.
He added that there had been no isolation precautions erected at the man’s home.
He added that the Quinn family are very well-known in the area and very well respected.
“This has come as an awful shock to them. I genuinely hope that this is not confirmed,” he said.
Meanwhile there have been no visiting restrictions at Letterkenny General Hospital despite scare.
Mr Quinn’s remains have been sent to the hospital’s mortuary which has now been sealed off and will remain so overnight.
The HSE is expected to release a statement on the results of tests carried out on the dead man later on today to determine the cause of death.
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