Woman was ‘shocked’ to fall pregnant after surgery

A woman who became pregnant after an alleged failed sterilisation and gave birth to a baby who died five months later has launched a High Court action for damages.

Karen Hurley-Ahern, aged 39, a mother of two, was shocked to find herself pregnant because she had a blood-clotting disorder and had decided not to have any more children because of potential risks.

She and her husband, Garret Ahern, are suing consultant gynaecologist Victor Moore, who carried out the sterilisation in Tralee General, Co Kerry, in 2001, and the Southern Health Board, now the HSE. They are seeking damages, alleging failures including negligence in how the operation was performed. The defendants deny the claims and say the couple were wa-rned of the risk of failure.