THE following is a statement by the Blood Transfusion Service Board:
The Blood Transfusion Service Board would like to reiterate its expression of sadness at Mrs McCole's death and to express its sincere sympathy and apology to her husband and family.
The BTSB also wishes to apologise sincerely to every person infected by hepatitis C through the BTSB's blood and blood products and to their families and friends.
The BTSB and its current new management have worked and will continue to work to ensure that there will never be a repeat of this tragedy, which has affected so many innocent persons.