The fire service has been called out on false alarms at least 62 times in the past 12 months to a Killarney hospital which no longer has patients, but provides accommodation for a GP out-of-hours service.
It is suspected that dust in the limestone building is tripping the alarm system and causing the false alarms.
The 19th-century Gothic-style St Finan’s Hospital overlooks Killarney. Its last ward, St Peter’s, closed a year ago. A small number of patients are housed in newer buildings on the grounds. St Finan’s acts as the headquarters of the GP out-of-hours service, South Doc.
The HSE said it was waiting to completely vacate the building. “Wards and units have been closed on a phased basis with appropriate, alternative accommodation provided for the residents,” it said.