A Mid-Western Health Board report released yesterday on an inquiry into the loss of up to 20 blood and other samples taken from a Co Limerick farm family ruled out the possibility of a conspiracy.
Mr Pat Geoghegan and his wife, Nuala, of Boulaglass, Askeaton, have for more than a decade expressed concern about their health from "environmental pollution or toxicity from fallouts connected with local industry".
Mr Geoghegan (39) said apart from losing 70 cattle, as well as cattle infertility and eight cases of calf abortion, "we have suffered burning on the face, fatigue, respiration and liver damage despite the fact that I have never taken a drink or smoked in my life".
The inquiry was set up by Health Board chief executive officer, Mr Stiofain de Burca, after the Health Board lost up to 20 samples taken from the family.
The inquiry found there was a complete lack of laboratory records which "made it impossible to verify whether all family samples were ever properly stored in the first place. It is possible that they were not. There is a lack of clarity with regard to the balance between the clinical autonomy and the corporate accountability of laboratory medical staff". The Health Board said the report "ruled out the possibility of a conspiracy at work, a theory which had been previously expressed by the family."
The 25-page report found that the family felt let down. "Promises made to them were not fulfilled. They found it impossible to get information despite doing all they could to help themselves".
Mr de Burca, in apologising to the family, told the health board it was very clear the system had failed the family and this had to be addressed.
The inquiry group was headed by Dr Sean Conroy, regional manager of the Western Health Board.
Mrs Geoghegan (38) said after the meeting they were still very disappointed. "We had to do a lot over the last three years to get through officialdom and that included exposing our souls to the media before we could get a hearing.
"The report," she added, "is now something that has come too late and we are calling for a public inquiry into the whole matter".
The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture and Food, Teagasc and the Mid-Western Health Board have undertaken joint studies and investigations into human and animal health in the Askeaton area. These studies have been going on for the past six years and a report is expected next June.