Man died after hernia operation

A verdict of medical misadventure has been returned over the death of a 68-year-old man who died after a hernia operation.

John Comerford, from Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny, had the procedure at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny City on Mar 18, 2011, and was discharged the next morning. He returned on the night of Mar 20, an inquest heard, with a swollen tongue, groin, and abdomen, low blood pressure, and in a “very unwell” condition. He died on Mar 21.

The coroner’s court in Kilkenny heard his bowel was perforated and he was suffering septic shock.