TWO former blood bank officials charged with offences arising from the hepatitis C blood contamination scandal are due to appear in Dublin District Court today.

TWO former senior blood bank officials are to stand trial accused of infecting women with hepatitis C in an unprecedented action which could have implications for other investigations into contaminated blood products.

TWENTY eight donors who tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies in the early 1990s, but were not immediately informed of the result are due to begin receiving letters from the Blood Bank today.

FORMER chief medical officer of the Blood Transfusion Service Dr Terry Walsh is facing a formal inquiry into his actions in the Hepatitis C infection scandal.

The Irish Medical Council has served an order on the Blood Bank to hand over documents relating to the Hepatitis C infection scandal to investigate its former medical director, Dr Terry Walsh.

THE issue of tainted blood was the greatest bureaucratic scandal of the 20th century in Ireland. It has already involved more than 75 premature deaths. That total is likely to increase to more than €200.

With terms of reference agreed between the Minister for Health Micheál Martin and groups representing patients affected by test disclosure delays by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, it now seems puzzling that the IBTS should call for a different approach.