BTS describes blood scandal as 'tragedy'

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has described the infection of Irish haemophiliacs with HIV and Hepatitis C as "the greatest tragedy of its kind ever to take place in Ireland".

In its closing submission to the Lindsay Tribunal, the BTS said its responsibility for the scandal may not be proportionate to the scale of the tragedy.

Lawyers for the service argued that it is easy to make deductions with the benefit of hindsight, but said the BTS will accept any criticism handed down by the tribunal.