At the Four Courts, a deeply moving High Court hearing concluded with University Hospital Galway issuing a formal apology to Anna and Gerard Gilligan of Oranmore, Co Galway, following the death of their newborn daughter Ailbhe in October 2020. The apology acknowledged shortcomings in the obstetric care provided during labour and delivery.
Represented by Martin Kerrigan of Berwick Solicitors and Doireann O’Mahony BL, the Gilligan family brought proceedings against the HSE, arising from alleged failures in CTG monitoring during Mrs Gilligan’s labour. The baby’s heart rate was reportedly inadequately monitored for periods of time, during which early signs of distress were missed. Tragically, baby Ailbhe suffered a hypoxic ischaemic insult—an acute brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation—and passed away one hour after birth despite resuscitation efforts.
The High Court heard that if earlier intervention had occurred, Ailbhe may have survived. While the HSE admitted a breach of duty in the management of labour, including failures to repeat a foetal scalp blood sample and to act promptly on CTG tracings, it denied that these failures alone accounted for the outcome.
A letter of apology from University Hospital Galway was read into the court record. In it, the hospital’s general manager extended sincere condolences and acknowledged the care deficiencies during Ailbhe’s delivery.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement and expressed his deepest sympathy to the Gilligan family, describing the case as tragic and profoundly sad.
Outside court, Mr Gilligan spoke of the years it had taken to reach this point and the lasting impact of Ailbhe’s death on their family life. He said the apology brought some measure of acknowledgement, but nothing could undo the loss they had suffered.
Berwick Solicitors is proud to have supported the Gilligan family throughout this case and remains committed to helping families seek accountability in the face of medical failings.
