Louth woman awaits ruling on €450,000 symphysiotomy award

A 60-year-old Louth woman will today learn if she is to lose any of the €450,000 awarded to her for undergoing a symphysiotomy in 1969.

The Supreme Court is due to rule later on an appeal against the award.

Olivia Kearney of Rosses Hollow, Milestown, Castlebellingham was just 18 when the controversial procedure was carried out at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The discontinued practice involves the enlargement of the pelvis for childbirth.

The High Court found there was no justification for it to be carried out on Ms Kearney, following the successful delivery of her first-born child.