Court approves €6.5m for boy brain damaged at birth

A settlement of €6.5 million has been approved by the High Court in the case of a teenage boy who was brain damaged at birth.

This is on top of a €1.7million interim settlement to 15-year old Ryan Brennan two years ago.

Ryan, who has cerebral palsy,will need constant care for the rest of his life.Through his mother Lorraine Brennan, Ryan, from Cahir in Co Tipperary, had sued the Health Service Executive over the circumstances of his birth at St Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel. Today's settlement was made without admission of liability.

The figure is a final settlement of the case bringing the total settlement figure in the case to €8.2million.

The boy had through Ms Brennnan of Avondale Court, Cahir, Co Tipperary sued the HSE for alleged negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract at the time of his birth St Joseph’s Hospital, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, in January 2000.

It was claimed that Ms Brennan was admitted to St Joseph’s Hospital in January 2000 just after term and in early labour. It was further claimed that in a fifteen minute period starting at noon on January 15th, 2000, significant abnormalities were present in the foetal heart rate tracing which would be seriously abnormal and consistent with a very high risk of foetal hypoxia and it was sufficient to merit immediate obstetric review. Ryan was born at lunchtime and was in poor condition and described as flat and pale with poor muscle tone. He had to be resuscitated and later suffered seizures. Ryan, it was claimed suffered major irreversible brain damage rendering him permanently incapacitated, disabled and in need of constant care throughout his life. The family had alleged negligence and breach of duty in the High Court action against the HSE.

Outside court Ryan parents, Lorraine and Raymond Brennan said they were glad the case was now over and they were happy with the settlement which would provide care for their son for the future.

Ms Brennan said Ryan was a sociable, lovely boy who likes pony riding and swimming and being with other children.