Nurse's car burnt out after keys taken outside Dublin hospital

Temple Street Children’s Hospital says it is looking into improved security

Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin. Photograph: Frank Miller / The Irish Times
Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin. Photograph: Frank Miller / The Irish Times

Gardaí are investigating an incident at Temple Street Children’s Hospital this morning during which a nurse had her car stolen and burnt out.

The incident took place at 6.30am when the night nurse, who is in her mid-thirties, left the hospital to move her car.

It’s understood the woman was not in the car at the time but had parked it and was walking the short distance back to the hospital when she was approached by an individual and had her keys taken.

A statement from the hospital said it “seriously regrets to confirm that a night nurse who was moving her car from the staff car park to on-street parking at approximately 6.30am this morning was approached, had her keys taken from her, and subsequently her car driven away by the thief”.

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Gardaí confirmed the car was crashed and burnt out on Store Street in Dublin 1.

“Due to the fact that Temple Street is an inner city hospital, there is no public car park and very limited unofficial staff car parking which is used by night staff, who free up spaces for day staff when the change in shift occurs,” continued the statement.

“Generally, security staff who man the emergency department are available to walk out of the hospital with anyone at night time or very early morning if requested.

“Temple Street can also confirm this very unfortunate incident is an isolated one and no record of a similar incident over the last 20 years or more exists.

“Temple Street will however investigate additional security measures that need to be put in place when nurses are moving their cars at the change of shifts.”

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson

Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporter