Martin promises to finalise Hep C compensation

Health Minister Micheal Martin has promised that the compensation package for a woman who contracted Hepatitis C during a life-saving operation will be finalised by close of business today.

Last night, the family of Sylvia O'Leary, from Ballincollig in Co Cork, accused Mr Martin of deliberately delaying the compensation award by saying it had to be cleared by the Department of Finance.

Ms O'Leary is currently on a life-support machine after suffering severe liver and kidney failure. Her family feared the compensation claim would be lost if she died before any award was made.