Coroner calls for popcorn banat creches after toddler’s death

An 18-month-old girl died when she choked to death on a popcorn kernel she found at her creche, an inquest heard yesterday.

Lauren Meehan-O’Byrne from Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, died at Temple Street Children’s Hospital on Mar 19 last year, having never recovered from the choking incident at her creche five days previously.

Dublin Coroner Dr Brian Farrell called on the HSE to ban popcorn from preschool facilities in the wake of the incident.