Lump sum ends 13-year case for man with locked-in syndrome

A High Court judge yesterday ruled that a man with locked-in syndrome after an operation at Cork University Hospital can now get a final lump sum payment rather than return to court every few years for a periodic payment.

Mr Justice Michael Moriarty made his decision following an appeal from the family of Eoin O’Mahony, Blarney, Co Cork to allow their court litigation to end after 13 years.

Eoin O’Mahony was a Leaving Cert student in 2001 when he suffered headaches and was admitted to Cork University Hospital where brain surgery was carried out. He later lapsed in to a coma-like state and the High Court heard Eoin, who is now 30 years of age, suffered devastating brain injuries.