An elderly man who fought as an amateur boxer for all his adult life developed a degenerative neurological disorder possibly related to the years he spent boxing, an inquest has heard.
James Martin (76), High Street, Dublin, died in Dublin's St James's Hospital on December 9th, 2004. He died from complications of a brain haemorrhage and a degenerative neurological disorder, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Returning a verdict of death by misadventure, coroner Dr Brian Farrell said the pathologist indicated that Mr Martin's neurological disorder may be linked to his boxing career. "Although he may not have boxed for 30 years, minor injuries can come back to haunt you in later life," he told the court.
Mr Martin was admitted to St James's Hospital on October 29th, 2004, after a fall a couple of weeks previously had left him disorientated and confused. He had a brain scan 10 days later that confirmed a brain haemorrhage. Mr Martin's daughters expressed concern that it took so long for a brain scan to be carried out.
Dr Connell Cunningham, based at St James's, said he requested a scan the day after Mr Martin was admitted. "It's very unusual that it would take so long. Occasionally the machines break down ... I'm not quite sure why it took so long," he said.
Mr Martin's brain haemorrhage was treated at Dublin's Beaumont neurosurgery centre on November 9th, 2004. Following the procedure, he was transferred back to St James's and died a month later.
In October 2004, Mr Martin was seen as an out-patient at Beaumont's neurosurgery centre as his family were concerned that he was becoming confused.
Consultant neurosurgeon Christopher Pidgeon booked a brain scan for Mr Martin, but the waiting list was such that it could not be scheduled for three months, by which stage Mr Martin had already died.
Mr Martin's daughters expressed concern in court that the scan could not have been carried out earlier. Mr Pidgeon said a lack of resources in neurosurgery in Ireland has led to the long waiting lists. "I've been on radio and TV complaining about a lack of resources. That's a complaint for the Minister for Health, not me," he said in court.
Mr Pidgeon also said that early signs were present that Mr Martin was suffering from a neurological disorder.
Miriam Martin also expressed a number of concerns at her father's treatment in St James's Hospital. She said that his pillow was blood-soaked and the ward he stayed on was disruptive.