Judge calls for 'open minds' in appeal over brain-injured boy's medical treatment

The hospital says the boy has no hope of making any meaningful recovery from catastrophic injuries sustained in a road accident last summer.

Last month, High Court president Ms Justice Mary Irvine concluded there had been a failure of duty by the parents and their love for John had blinded them to the reality of his condition.

A Supreme Court judge has urged all involved in an appeal by the parents of a profoundly brain-injured boy over his medical treatment to listen to each other with “open minds and open hearts”.

Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell made the remark today as the five-judge court began hearing the appeal which raises significant issues about when the State may intervene to permit medical decisions to be taken about children contrary to the wishes of their parents.  The appeal is against High Court orders permitting a hospital to manage the treatment of a boy, a ward of court referred to as John, as it considers appropriate.