Department probes Thalidomide-related illness

THE Department of Health has confirmed it is investigating the country’s first case of Thalidomide-related illness in almost 30 years.

The Irish Thalidomide Association says (ITA) it expects up to 20 more victims to come forward in the wake of more accurate blood tests. Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women suffering morning sickness in the 50s and 60s.

A health spokesperson said it has formally begun examining the circumstances of a middle-aged woman who made contact with the department believing she was one of those affected by the Thalidomide tragedy.

If her claim is validated she will be added to the list of people recognised as Irish victims by a tribunal set up in the 1970s to deal with the controversy.

The spokesperson said: “In 1974, by virtue of their claim a fund was set up for the victims of the Thalidomide tragedy. This is the first case we have had to deal with so we are still figuring out exactly what should be done and what falls under the jurisdiction of the German (Chemie Grunenthal) fund.

“The examinations at this stage are very preliminary but we will do everything in our power to help this person out.”

The department says it became aware of the case through the representations of Olwyn Enright TD, and admitted there was some confusion when the first letter highlighting it was lost in the post earlier this year.

At a tribunal in 1974, 34 Irish people were diagnosed as having been affected by Thalidomide. Of those, 33 were given a lump sum and a monthly support package for the rest of their life. This was funded jointly by the Government and the drug’s German manufacturers.

Two victims have since died. A further 90 people who were tested were denied compensation.

ITA spokesman Carmel Daly feels some of those were denied a legitimate right to compensation. She said she is aware of the new case and she believes a number of those refused compensation in 1974 will prove to be eligible after taking a more accurate blood test.

“Every time the word Thalidomide comes up everybody just runs and hides. We are fairly certain there are more people out there that would show up under a blood test. A large number slipped through the net.

“Definitely within the next year I would say there will be a few more cases that the department will have to deal with.”