An Irish mother has told how her young daughter died in the United States because she did not have health insurance.

Katrina Hennigan (31) was found dead in her apartment in Rhode Island on November 28 after suffering from heart problems.

Her devastated mother Bridget Glynn has told how Katrina became ill last April and spent five days in intensive care.

“She had instructions to follow up with Endocrinology, GI (Gastrointestinal) and, I believe, Cardiology.”

“I spoke with her and Skyped her many times and insisted she call the recommended specialists to make an appointment”, Bridget told Irish Central.

“Unfortunately, the first question she was asked was “What insurance do you have?” Katrina worked in the hospitality industry and did not have any health insurance.”

Worried about her daughter’s condition, Bridget was due to visit her daughter in Boston on December 4.

“I knew there had to be some severe underlying problem that had caused her to be in ICU for such a long period of time.”

“I had spoken to her about trying to get on Obamacare when I arrived or otherwise she could come back home to Ireland and we could get her health taken care of.”

“When neither her brother, sister nor I had heard from her for Thanksgiving we knew something must be wrong, but nothing could have prepared us for the awful news that no parent should ever hear. Katrina was found dead in her apartment on November 28.”

The family will not have the autopsy results for up to three months, Bridget told Irish Central.

The devastated mother wishes to raise awareness to help other Irish emigrants access help if they do not have health insurance in the US.

“I now know that the Irish Pastoral Centre in Boston helps emigrants with various problems, including not having health coverage. Katrina didn't know that.”

I would like to let other emigrants know this and if people wish to, they can make a donation in her name to The Irish Pastoral Centre, 15 Rita Road, Dorchester, MA 02124.”

Katrina moved to the US from Cork in 1994 with her parents when she was 11 years old.

She is now buried in Connemara, Co Galway where her Granny is buried.

Her mother paid tribute to her daughter, as a kind woman who often brought food to the homeless.

“She was certainly a better person than I. She often brought food from the restaurant down to the homeless shelter after she finished work at maybe 3am. I worried about her going there at that late hour. I once said: "Can you not do it next day?" She got mad at me and said, "The food would not be fresh then. Just because they are homeless they not going to eat old food."

“She didn't smoke and went to the gym, but she loved the craic and loved to drink a Guinness and Magners. She did Irish dancing and played the fiddle when she was young. She loved life.”

“She was such a giving person. My only bit of comfort now is that she is with her Granny and I know she will take care of her,” Katrina told Irish Central.

Online Editors