Four to serve notice over faulty hip joints

Four of the 3,500 Irish patients fitted with allegedly defective DePuy orthopaedics hip joints have been given leave by the High Court to serve personal injury summonses on the US company.

Barrister Barry Lennon told Mr Justice Michael Peart his clients required permission of the court to issue and serve notice on DePuy Orthopaedics Inc at its headquarters in Indiana.

He said that Ann O’Sullivan, of Castle Inch, Bridge Road, Listowel, Co Kerry; Nora O’Connor, of Farahy, Kildorrery, Co Cork; James Bullman, of Nutley Road, Mahon; and Richard Murphy, of Carrigrohane Rd, Co Cork, would also be issuing personal injury claims against DePuy International Ltd UK and DePuy France.