A woman who was aged 20 years when her womb was removed by consultant obstetrician Dr Michael Neary during the birth of her first and only child, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is to receive €425,000 in settlement of her High Court action for damages.
Ms Kathry Quilty became very psychiatrically disturbed as a result of her experiences during and after the birth of her son Kurtis at Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in January 1996, and had for a time lived with the Simon Community and on the streets of Cork, the court was told.
Her distress was exacerbated by Dr Neary telling her mother he had had to remove Ms Quilty's womb because it had "a huge defect", Ms Quilty claimed. However, no such defect was found by pathologists
subsequently, it was claimed.
Ms Quilty, now aged 28, of Beechwood Drive, Drogheda had sued Dr Neary, of Brownstown, Monasterboice, Drogheda, and the North Eastern Health Board. Under the settlement, which is without admission of liability, she is to receive a sum of €325,000 from Dr Neary and €100,000 from the Board.
Ms Quilty has also taken a separate action against the Board arising out of the circumstances of the birth of Kurtis on January 12th 1996 at the Lourdes Hospital. Kurtis suffers from cerebral palsy and is in care. The action brought on his behalf is due to be heard in January.