Dublin family settle case for €400k

A family who sued over the death of a woman at Tallaght Hospital after being diagnosed with a serious flesh-eating bacterial infection following a bowel procedure have settled their action for €400,000.

The settlement was made at the High Court without admission of liability.

Shirley Ann Plunkett, aged 42, was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a rare bacterial skin infection, the day before she died at the hospital on March 10, 2011.

She left behind a young son, Conor, then aged nine, who has since been cared for by her parents, Philip and Teresa. He will get the vast bulk of the settlement.

Seeking approval for the settlement, Michael Howard SC, instructed by Elizabeth Howard, of Howard Synnott solicitors for the family, said the case arose from “a series of unfortunate events” outlined in documents to the court.

His side were confident they would have won the case had it gone to hearing but there was a concern as necrotising fasciitis is a known complication of perforation of the small bowel, counsel said.

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys agreed to approve the settlement.

Philip Plunkett, Castleview, Clondalkin, Dublin, on behalf of his grandson Conor and the family, had sued the hospital and HSE arising from the death of his daughter. The defendants denied the claims, including of negligence.

The family alleged a series of failures in the care and treatment of Ms Plunkett including in relation to the procedure carried out on March 8, 2011, and post-operatively.