Teacher got flesh-eating disease after procedure

A SCHOOLTEACHER almost died and spent weeks in intensive care after she contracted a flesh-eating disease while having a routine surgical procedure, the High Court heard yesterday.

Co Cork woman Nodhlaig Davern was diagnosed as having the flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis after undergoing an abdominal examination in October 2002. The woman suffered a massive infection after what she believed was to have been a routine laparoscopy procedure.

Nodhlaig and her husband Patrick, of Glenavon, Ballyhea, Charleville, Co Cork, are suing consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Mark Skehan, of Perry Square, Limerick, who performed the laparascopy for damages claiming negligence and breach of duty arising out of his treatment of her in October 2002.