Man sues over faulty heart device

Doctors for a man, suing the makers of an allegedly faulty heart defibrillator, believe that removing the device now would pose a greater risk than leaving it in place.

Barrister Doireann O’ Mahony told the High Court that 41-year-old mechanical fitter Patrick McCarthy, Curragh Rd, Turner’s Cross, Cork, still had the cardio implant in his chest.

Mr Justice John Hedigan heard Mr McCarthy is suing cardiologist Gerard Fahy; South Infirmary Victoria Hospital Ltd, and Medtronic Ireland Ltd and several of its Irish associate companies for alleged negligence and breach of duty.