Courts / Cavan / Report

HSE apologises, makes €4.6m payment to boy who suffered injuries at birth

Date
2020-06-24
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Cavan
County
Cavan

Summary

The HSE has apologised and made an interim payment of €4.6m to Tadhg James McKenna, who brought a High Court medical negligence claim over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital. Tadhg, who has cerebral palsy and requires constant care, had sued the HSE for alleged negligence and breach of duty of care during his delivery on August 31, 2017. Liability had previously been conceded in relation to breach of duty but causation was at issue. Following out of court talks, the matter was resolved. An apology was read before the High Court, where Cavan General Hospital and the HSE 'unreservedly apologised for the failings in care that caused the injuries sustained by Tadhg at birth and the consequential upset suffered' by the McKenna family. The court heard that Tadhg, of Sruth An Mhuillan, Emyvale, Co Monaghan, who had sued through his mother Emma Louise McKenna, suffers with seizures, respiratory attacks, fevers and requires constant medical care and monitoring. The HSE agreed that an interim payment of €4.6m should be made to provide for Tadhg's care. The boy's case will return before the court in five years time. The judge adjourned the matter to a date in June 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: HSE apologises, makes €4.6m payment to boy who suffered injuries at birth. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Sruth An Mhuillan

Applicant

Outcome: The judge adjourned the matter to a date in June 2025.

Tadhg James McKenna

Applicant

Outcome: The judge adjourned the matter to a date in June 2025.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • Cavan General Hospital

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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