At least five more medical witnesses will give evidence in the inquest of two-year-old Pierce Nowlan, who died following a routine procedure at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
On September 30th last year, the legal representative for the Nowlan family called for a change to the legislation which restricts the coroner to calling just two medical witnesses in any one case, including a pathologist.
Raymond Bradley, solicitor for the Nowlan family, said at the time that doctors involved in the case had given "conflicting versions of events" and more medical witnesses needed to be heard.
Stephen and Jean Nowlan, parents of Pierce, met Minister for Justice Michael McDowell last September to highlight the impact the restrictions on medical witnesses had on their son's case. An amendment to the Coroner's Act followed on December 21st, allowing for more than two medical practitioners to give evidence at an inquest.
Pierce Nowlan, of Carrigmore Green, Saggart, Co Dublin, died during a routine operation linked to his condition as a haemophiliac in October 2004.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell told the court he would accept statements from the 23 medical clinicians before deciding who would give evidence. He had decided upon five more medical witnesses to give evidence.
The case will be heard briefly before the court on March 15th before a date for inquest is set.