Verdict of medical misadventure in deaths of mum and baby at CUMH

Marie Downey holding her newborn son Darragh in the hospital bed in CUMH on March 23, 2019, the day after he was born. Kieran Downey holds his son, Sean, while James, right, pats the head of his new baby brother. It is the only family photograph of all five together. Marie died two days later. Darragh died 33 hours later.

A jury has returned verdicts of medical misadventure following an inquest into the tragic deaths of a mother and her newborn son at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) more than two years ago.

However, two of the key recommendations made following the deaths of Marie Downey, who had epilepsy, and her baby, Darragh, just 33 hours later, won’t be implemented at the hospital until next year.