HSE orders new investigation into death of Clare teen Aoife Johnston in UHL

Aoife Johnston, 16, died from meningitis in UHL on Monday and her funeral took place on Thursday. She was from Shannon in Co Clare.

A new investigation into the death of a 16-year-old girl last year at University Hospital Limerick has been ordered by the chief executive of the HSE.

Aoife Johnston from Shannon in Co Clare, died from meningitis in the hospital in December 2022.

Former chief justice of the Supreme Court Frank Clarke will head the investigation, according to HSE CEO Bernard Gloster who issued a statement on Monday.

He said it comes after the HSE had considered a report it received this month into Ms Johnston’s death.

The HSE said that the report is “significant in its findings about the care of Aoife and the operation of the hospital”.

“There are many situations in health and social care where analysis of adverse incidents can glean learnings for improvement,” Mr Gloster said. 

“There are also situations where clearly further investigation is required and I am satisfied this is one of those.

“I intend to finalise the Terms of Reference in the coming weeks and have asked Mr Justice Clarke to conduct a timely but thorough investigation.

“I will not be in a position to provide any further details at this time, but again take the opportunity on behalf of the HSE, at the time of her first anniversary to apologise unreservedly to Aoife’s family, recognising no words of mine can ever take away their loss. I do however assure them that the issues raised in the report will be investigated thoroughly.” 

Mr Justice Clarke has been asked to make findings and report back to Mr Gloster, who added that the investigation will inform any further decisions to be made.