Inquest begins into baby's death day after attending Laois hospital

An inquest is underway in Limerick into the death of a baby at the centre of an investigation at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

The baby's mother was told her daughter, Mary Kate, had died a day after being discharged from the hospital after being told by medics there was nothing to worry about.

Amy Delahunt, the baby's mother broke down several times as she recounted the events leading up to the stillborn birth of her daughter on May 28, 2013.

The secondary school teacher told the inquest she and her partner Ollie Kelly from Borrisoleigh in County Tipperary had been trying for a while to start a family.

The jury has heard that Amy became worried about reduced movements of her baby on May 20.

Although a patient at the then Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick, she attended the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaose the following day as she worked nearby.

There she was placed on a CTG monitor, which monitors a baby's heart beat, for more than an hour.

Counsel for Miss Delahunt, David Holland, says there were two significant signs in the first 20 minutes which he argues should have been cause for concern, but were overlooked.

Amy Delahunt said at no stage did the medical professionals indicate there was anything to worry about and she was discharged.

The next day Ms Delahunt attended a scheduled appointment at the Regional Maternity in Limerick, where she was told her baby, Mary Kate had died.

The inquest at Limerick Coroner's Court is continuing.