Cork woman waiting on transplant news

Preparations have been made at a London hospital for the arrival of Co Cork woman Sylvia O'Leary, who is due to be flown over from Ireland for a life saving operation later today.

The 32-year old mother of two from Ballincollig is in a critical condition at University Hospital Cork after she was admitted following liver failure a week ago.

Her family are waiting on medical advice as to whether she is fit to be taken by air ambulance to King's College Hospital where doctors will attempt a third liver transplant on her. Mrs O'Leary had been at the centre of a controversy earlier this week because of a row with the Department of Health over a Hepatitis C compensation claim.

She was infected with the disease in 1990 by contaminated blood product during her first liver transplant. Her health had deteriorated since then and her family had sought assurances from the Health Minister that a compensation package could be agreed before her death.

The family solicitor had claimed that the Government was delaying the compensation deal, but the Department of Health offered a package reportedly worth around