An investigation is under way into an incident at Cork's Mercy University Hospital in which a patient was allegedly assaulted by a member of the public.
The man's injuries were not life threatening.
Another man was subsequently arrested by gardaí and questioned in relation to the incident. He has since been released from custody.
The incident happened minutes before Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill made a visit to the hospital this morning.
It is understood the injured party, who was an inpatient, had gone outside the hospital for a cigarette where he met the other man.
A row developed and the patient was struck with an iron bar. He received cuts to his head and upper body, but he was not seriously injured.
Both men are aged in their 50s.
