Irish mum dies in Turkey after travelling for medical procedure

RIP.

An Irish woman has sadly passed away after she travelled to Turkey for a medical procedure.

According to the Irish Independent, the mum of two was brought home from Turkey with the help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, with her funeral taking place during the week.

It is believed she headed to Turkey for the procedure last month and lost her life during it.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they were aware of the case and has provided consular assistance to the family.

“As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of any specific case,” the spokesperson added.

Tributes have been coming in for the South-East woman as those who knew her described her as a “beautiful soul” and “someone who will be dearly missed by all”.

People have been flying to Turkey over the last number of years for medical procedures such as dental, cosmetic and bariatric (weight-loss) procedures.

Due to high costs and long waits in Ireland, and the fewer procedures available, people have begun looking abroad.

The Health Store Turkey has reported that enquiries from Irish people seeking bariatric surgery alone have increased by almost 220% since 2021.

This is not the first instance that someone has died during a procedure in Turkey as last month a taxi driver from Co Louth died during a dental procedure there.

Tony Rogers was going to Istanbul for an emergency procedure but took ill in the dentist’s chair, with a full enquiry into his death is expected to take place in Turkey.

A death notice on RIP.ie said the 66 year old died suddenly and will be missed by his loving daughters Eleanor and Gillian, son David and their mam Carol, grandchildren Dylan, Brandon, Kyle, Callum, Katie and Conor, his brothers, extended family and a large circle of friends.