An 11-year old girl who, it was claimed, had to be resuscitated at birth in the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin secured £1.65m in damages in a settlement approved yesterday by the High Court.
Rachael Gray of Kileen, Templederry, Co Tipperary, suing by her mother, Mrs Hilary Gray, was said to have cerebral palsy and to be physically disabled but with complete preservation of intellect. She was born at the hospital on July 30th, 1988 and weighed 12.5lbs.
Mr Murray McGrath SC, for the hospital, said that while the hospital was consenting to the £1.65m settlement, it did so without admission of liability.
The child's counsel, Mr Patrick Keane SC (with Mr Felix McEnroy SC and Ms Anna O'Connor) said Rachael suffered tremendous frustration and could not control her limbs.
Mr Keane said there was no preparation by the hospital for the birth and that when the child was born there was no doctor in attendance. Rachael was stillborn at birth and had to be resuscitated. It was estimated she suffocated for about five minutes.