Calls for Irish access to oral immunotherapy after girl overcomes severe peanut allergy

Sheila Downes' two children, Josh,11, and Erin, 7, who have allergies including nuts, sesame seeds, and peanuts, have been treated largely in the French public health system. File picture

A seven-year-old girl from Co Clare can now safely eat peanuts after receiving treatment in France to overcome a severe allergy — and her mother is calling for the therapy to be made available in Ireland.

Sheila Downes and other members of Allergy Action Ireland told the Oireachtas health committee on Wednesday that this treatment is available in other EU countries.