Mother portrayed ‘as criminal’ by board

THE mother of a brain-damaged boy yesterday claimed a health board attempted to portray her as unfit in a bid to limit the amount of damages it was set to pay out.

Kathryn Quilty’s son Kurtis was last week awarded €3.75m by the High Court after the North Eastern Health Board admitted negligence following the birth of her now nine-year-old boy.

Ms Quilty, a recovering alcoholic who was homeless for a time, said the health board admitted liability but still fought the claim. Other aspects of her background, including the death of her father in a fire and an accident that permanently hospitalised her sister, were raised in court.

The message, said the 29-year-old mother of one, was that “I would not be a fit mother.” She believes the aim was to keep her son in an institution, thereby saving money.

Following the announcement of the award, her solicitor Michael Boylan said in his 20 years experience he had never come across a case that was so hard fought, particularly where the defendant admitted liability.

Her mother Valerie, who was in court for the case, said Kathryn went through hell “as if she was on the stand for a terrible crime.”

“I felt terribly upset and angry that I could not do anything,” she said.

Kathryn, who was awarded damages herself last year after her womb was unnecessarily removed by Dr Michael Neary, cares for her son every weekend.

However, she has now given up alcohol and hopes to have her son at home five days a week.

Kathryn, originally from Wales but living in Ireland since she was 19, gave birth to Kurtis at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in January 1996.

The High Court heard Kurtis was “effectively dead” on delivery. He was resuscitated but suffered brain damage. At 11 months, he was diagnosed as suffering from cerebral palsy.

Following the birth and the removal of her womb, Kathryn suffered psychologically and began drinking heavily. At her worst, she was living on the streets in Cork while Kurtis, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was being cared for at a home in Dublin.

“I was waking up in hospital with stitches and I said to myself I cannot go on like this,” said Kathryn.

Thoughts of Kurtis living in an institution spurred her on, she was given psychiatric treatment and gave up the drink. Kathryn hopes that she and her son can begin living their lives together. Kurtis will have all the equipment he needs.