A verdict of medical misadventure has been returned at the inquest into the death of little Caoimhe Mulcair, who died shortly after birth at the Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick nearly six years ago.
The baby girl, who was born and died on February 11th, 2009, was the first child of Joan and John Mulcair, and a result of successful IVF treatment after many years of trying to start their family.
During the inquest, the courtroom was told the story of how little Caoimhe died in her mother’s arms just 39 minutes after being born. Evidence given to the inquest indicated a lack of blood and oxygen supply to the baby’s brain and the inquest was also told one doctor noted the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck after birth.
The verdict followed a courtroom apology from the Health Service Executive for the failings in the care provided to baby Caoimhe, and a letter of apology sent from the chief executive of the local hospital group sent to the Mulcair family two days ago, over six years after Caoimhe’s death.
Following the verdict, a statement on behalf of Joan and John Mulcair explained that what they have had to go through over the last five years to obtain justice for their baby has been a “total disgrace.” They said the people involved should be ashamed for putting a family through the pain and torment they have had to endure for the past six years, and that the apology they were handed yesterday – at the last possible minute – was just another example of this, and means nothing to them now as it is too late.
