Parents fail to sue hospital and ordered to pay £3m costs
The parents of a 14-year-old severely disabled boy, who failed to win an action alleging medical negligence against a Cork hospital, have been hit with a bill for £3m.
John and Anne O'Mahony of Onslow Gardens in Cork, say they are devastated by the ruling and that they do not have the money to pay the bill.
They had sued the Bons Secours Hospital in Cork, alleging medical negligence in the birth of their son Ian in May 1987.
The parents have spent the last 14 years of their lives caring for their son who has Cerebral Palsy.
The Judge in their High Court case ruled, that while there had been two departures by the hospital from what would be regarded as the requisite standard of care, the evidence had not established that either of these had caused or contributed to Ian's present disability.
John and Anne then went to the Supreme Court earlier this month, but failed in their appeal against the High Court finding.
Today the Supreme Court issued a ruling on the costs of the case which effectively means that the O'Mahonys must now pay almost £3m in legal costs.
