Man with cerebral palsy settles for €1.1m

A 20-year-old Cork man who has cerebral palsy yesterday settled for €1.1m in a High Court action over his care at the time before his birth at Erinville Hospital, Cork.

Aaron Sweeney, from O’Callaghan’s Park, Kanturk, Co Cork, had through his mother Kathleen Sweeney sued the Southern Health Board and consultant gynaecologist Edgar Ritchie, of Killarney, Co Kerry, as a result of his care around the time of his birth at the Erinville Hospital, Cork on December 4, 1995.

It was claimed there was an alleged failure to procure the timely delivery of Aaron and the baby was allegedly caused prior to his birth to be confined in a womb where there was insufficient amniotic fluid.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to a take any or any adequate action during labour despite doubtful CGT appearances and the pregnancy was allowed to proceed to spontaneous delivery.

The claims were denied.

John O’Mahony, counsel for Aaron,

said that Aaron has cerebral palsy and when born he had a respiratory distress syndrome. He said he was a happy young man who had completed his Leaving Cert.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said the settlement was a good one.