The Taoiseach says a review of security in hospitals will have to be considered, following the death of Matthew Healy at the Mercy Hospital over the weekend.
The 89-year-old died after an alleged assault by another patient at the Mercy University Hospital on Sunday.
Yesterday the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation led calls on the HSE to prioritise the completion of a full security audit of every Irish hospital.
The nursing union extended their sympathies to the families at the centre of the tragic incident at the Mercy and called on the HSE to complete a full review of the security measures in place at hospitals across the country.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says a full investigation into the matter will need to be carried out by Gardaí and the hospital itself.
"My heart really goes out to the family and the community as well, who I know are suffering terrible grief at what happened, just weeks after his own wife, it's really, really tragic.
"Hospitals should be a safe place, you go in there to get to better. Certainly we will be talking to the Minster For Health about about it and the HSE.
"I know some groups have called for a review of security in hospitals, we will have to give that consideration as well.
"Really what we need here in particular is a full investigation by the Gardai, and also by the hospital."
