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First published 5.47 pm
THE FATHER OF three-year-old girl who suffered cerebral palsy at birth has described an apology from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda as “utterly meaningless and entirely self-serving”.
It comes as the High Court approved a €1.9 million settlement for the care of Milagros Martin, born in December 2011.
The HSE admitted liability in the case last year. During today’s court hearing, the hospital read an apology for the “deficits in care” during the child’s birth:
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda apologies sincerely and unambiguously to the Martin Family for the deficits in care in relation to the birth of Milagros. All staff regret the outcome of this tragic case. Learnings from it have been adopted by the Hospital and the RCSI Group of Hospitals of which OLOLH Drogheda is a part. Ongoing audit of the learnings continues at the Hospital and in the Group.
But speaking to reporters outside the Four Courts today, the child’s father says the family wants an apology from the medical staff.
“An apology at this point in time is utterly meaningless and entirely self-serving,” said Ruairí Martin.
“The apology is purely from administrators and management. Our daughter’s injuries are as a result of the failings of the medical staff. None of the medical staff have ever provided any apology to either myself, my wife or my daughter.”
The family’s solicitor David O’Malley also called on the Minster of Health to introduce a “statutory duty of candour” to ensure greater openness in such cases.
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Respect!
To defend an outpost with 150 men and no walls against thousands of armed attackers and have no fatalities….must be one of the greatest battles of the century, if not longer!
Wonderful idea….they deserve it and more.
The Defense Forces of today should count themselves lucky that they won’t have to go through what them poor lads did,in the Congo .
The Irish Defence forces are serving in quite a few unstable regions as we speak, the Golan Heights alongside the current Syrian civil war comes to mind, all it takes is for a loose cannon rebel commander to decide to engage them or capture them and then they’ll be caught up in a siege of their own.
@Mr KnowitAll: Your comment is pure ignorance.
@mrknowitall you obviously don’t have a clue of what our troops deal with day to day overseas….
Christ you haven’t got a clue MrKnowItAll , there is about 130 troops in the Golan Heights on the border between Syria and Israel right now http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heroic-irish-troops-rescue-filipino-4131748
@Martin Fahy: Still better than the Congo.
I read it as him referring to the fact these men were abandoned in their hour of need by their command at home and treated like traitors after their return. Which the defence forces don’t have to deal with today (as far as I know). . . . But I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, he probably is just being a dick.
Mr knowitall you’re a clown rest assured today’s men and women will perform if needed. Same sorof thing said about Brit Army since 45 but performed OK in Korea, Malaya, Cyprus, Adenn, Yeen, Falklabnds. Afghanistan etc.
The Irish Defence Forces are respected by other professional armies. As Paul said its a big world wide military family who slag each. Other without mercy.
Respect to the survivors. If possible I intend to be at Collins.
Mr know it all if Liam has it right my apologies.
Hardy men there
FFS they all have free travel !!!!!
@Celtic Druid: Hi there – this trip is allowing all of their families to travel with them so that they have all the support they need for what will no doubt be an emotional journey. So, yes, the survivors are likely in receipt of a travel pass because of their age but they mostly need help and it’s to make this a big occasion for them by having everyone they love there.
Every time I read this story I become more and more amazed that there were no fatalities. A true credit to the men who were involved.
Saw The Siege of Jadotville on Netflix last night and was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie.
What amazing men to hold their position with no support or backup.
The only cowards are the Irish Government and the UN.
Very pleased these men will finally receive the recognition for their heroic actions on October 22!!!!
Respect to these brave men.our soldiers should not be in the Golan heights belonging to Syria but taken by Israel,who in turn gave US oil companies permission to drill for oil,and that’s what it’s all about,resources and greed.government pull our troops.
To The Heroes of the Irish A-Company
You Are the true spirit of Good men, gentlemen, Courage and true fellowship.
I would gladly Walk In to a fire With Any One of you brave men.
You Can ALWAYS Walk Proud.
Becous you were commandet by poor LEADERSHIP and came Home as Brothers.
To Your family, friends and me
you Will Always Be true heros.
Former FireFighter from Denmark
With love.❤️
Tonni
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