Coroner to recall inquest witnesses

THE Dublin city coroner has decided to take the “unusual” step of recalling witnesses who have already given evidence at an inquest into the death of a baby delivered by water birth in Cavan General Hospital to allay concerns raised by the baby’s family, an inquest has heard.

Harry Eccles died after his mother Gina Eccles, 24, gave birth to him at the Cavan hospital on February 26, 2006, in a birthing pool with the aid of a midwife.

When the full inquest into the baby’s death re-opens at an undisclosed date in late November or December, the court will re-hear the evidence of key witnesses including midwife Elizabeth Loughran, paediatrician Dr Alan Finan and neo-natologist Dr Mathew Thomas.