The family of a 91-year-old man who died after contracting Covid-19 in a nursing home two weeks ago, say t the roll-out of the vaccine has been too slow.
Brian Agnew, from Dundalk in Co Louth, died at Blackrock Abbey nursing home on 19 January, just days after contracting the virus.
The nursing home confirmed today that 14 residents who contracted Covid-19 have died at the home since 1 January.
Mr Agnew had been a resident there for a year.
"He was very witty and always coming out with one liners. He was from a well-known family in Dundalk and was very well liked," said his son Paddy.
Brian had Alzheimer's disease, but his family say he was in good health.
"He was very happy there. He said to me on one of my last visits that it was as good as a hotel," said Paddy.
Paddy Agnew said the family were told their father tested positive for Covid-19 in the middle of January and just days later he passed away.
"We were lucky we got in to see him a few times. We had all the PPE and put the gear on and took it off at the door," he said.
However at that point, Paddy said his father was very unwell.
"We were delighted to get in. We were lucky that we got in to see him. But he wasn't good at all. It was quite rapid and quick in the end. He wasn't really talking and breathing badly," he said.
After Christmas, the nursing home confirmed that there had been an outbreak of Covid-19 at the home."For ten-and-a-half months they managed to keep it out and unfortunately it got in just the week they were going to get their jabs for Covid," said Paddy.
"The nurses and staff in these nursing homes are doing all they can. It's not fair on the elderly people in this country. It's not fair. They've worked all their lives and they deserve better".
Paddy Agnew said his father would have lived another few years and questioned the speed of the vaccination roll out.
"There's 369 people dead in nursing homes here since January and vaccination is so slow, I just cannot understand what our Government is doing", he said.
Paddy said it has been a difficult few weeks but he is grateful to the staff in the nursing home and the funeral directors who made it possible to bring their father home.
However, he said the funeral was difficult.
"One of the worst things of the whole lot, it's just terrible that only ten people can go. We couldn't even get all the family in. And the cemetery too. It's harrowing.
"Behind every figure, there's a family like ours so we have to think of those people and what they are going through."
In a statement Blackrock Abbey said it is saddened by the loss of the residents following an outbreak of Covid-19.
The home said "it has been a very challenging time for everyone, not least for the families involved".
"Thankfully we have been able to ensure family members had time with their loved one in advance of their passing, which we know has been of some comfort," it said.
The home also said it is coming towards the end of the outbreak with only two residents still to complete their 14-day isolation.
It said the vast majority of staff have also completed their isolation.
Blackrock Abbey say the second vaccine dose is expected to be administered in the week of 15 February.
It thanked families, the Health Service Executive and Public Health for their ongoing support.
