Colfer ‘considers position’ after father’s inquest

Author Eoin Colfer said he and his family are considering their position in relation to the death of his father, who died from internal bleeding one week after an operation to remove his gall bladder.

An inquest into the death of William ‘Billy’ Colfer, 73, a renowned historian and writer from Slade in Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, was held in Waterford city yesterday.

Waterford Coroner’s Court yesterday found Mr Colfer died at Waterford Regional Hospital on February 2, 2013, one week after the operation at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.

Rob Landers, a pathologist at University Hospital Waterford, yesterday said Mr Colfer died from “multiple organ failure secondary to post operative haemorrhage”.

It is understood that the scholar was released within a couple of days after his operation in Dublin but then admitted to University Hospital Waterford when he became ill.

Medics tried to stem the bleeding with a procedure known as hepatic artery embolisation but could not find the exact source, said Dr Landers.

Dr Landers said his autopsy on February 4, 2013, revealed “a large amount of blood in the abdominal cavity”, while blood clots were found “up on top of the liver” and under the diaphragm.

When questioned by the Colfers’ solicitor, Eric Furlong, Dr Landers said: “In my opinion, the cause of the [multi-organ] failure was the massive blood loss.” The “small bowel” was “particularly vulnerable” under those circumstances.

Coroner John Goff agreed with the evidence and sympathised with the family. “The poor man had his operation; he must have had his difficulties.”

Afterwards, Mr Colfer said the family went to the inquest with questions.

The family wished to know if there were any signs of bleeding after his father was discharged from the Beacon and throughout that week prior to being admitted to University Hospital Waterford. However, they “haven’t yet decided” if they would be taking further action “because it prolongs the suffering”.

Mr Colfer’s wife Noreen was present yesterday with their five sons.