Inquest probing circumstances around baby’s death in CUMH adjourned

Concerns were also expressed that a consultant at Cork University Maternity Hospital was not included in the first emergency call for help in the hospital as efforts were made to save the baby’s life. File picture: Denis Minihane

An inquest examining the circumstances around a baby’s death shortly after his birth in Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) has been adjourned after one of six jurors tested positive for covid.

Baby Tom Luke Moynihan was born extremely pale and anaemic but did not receive a blood transfusion for some 22 minutes, the inquest heard on Wednesday. 

Concerns were also expressed that a consultant was not included in the first emergency call for help in the hospital as efforts were made to save the baby’s life.

Although eight jurors were originally appointed to the inquest at Cork Coroner’s Court on Washington St, one member had to recuse himself when he realised that he knew one of the witnesses. Another member missed the bus on Wednesday morning so could not attend the court.

Coroner Philip Comyn said that the inquest could not go ahead with less than six jurors. A provisional date of October 10 has been set for the inquest to resume when the jury of five women and one man is to reconvene.

Mr Comyn apologised to the court for the unavoidable inconvenience.