Mum given baby report hours before inquest

A WOMAN who lost her newborn baby when he was four days old was told to collect a report into his death just hours before the infant’s inquest.

Breda and David Hunt, from Kilmovee, Co. Mayo, lost their son, Cian Patrick Hunt, following complications at birth in October 2018.

Yesterday, the family’s barrister, Sara Antoniotti, told the inquest: ‘This report was available on January 13 this year.

‘Following repeated emails, Breda Hunt was told she could come and collect the report yesterday [on Wednesday]. It is a report that should have been furnished to us before this time.’ Ms Hunt drove to Mayo University Hospital to collect the report as instructed, the court heard.

Cian was born at Mayo University Hospital on October 3, 2018, but he had to be airlifted to the Coombe Hospital in Dublin, where he died on October 6. Ms Hunt had previously lost two babies, at 35 and 36 weeks’ gestation, and was considered a high-risk patient. She was brought into Mayo University Hospital at 36 weeks’ gestation for close observation, and was an inpatient for eight days before the birth.

A decision was made to induce labour, but this was unsuccessful. Shortly before Cian was born by caesarean section, he had difficulties that deprived him of oxygen and was transferred to the Coombe Hospital for emergency treatment.

The inquest was adjourned at Dublin Coroner’s Court yesterday, due to the late furnishing of the clinical care report to the family. The absence of two key witnesses, due to illness and emigration, also posed problems to the hearing of evidence, Ms Antoniotti said.

Adjourning the inquest, coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said she hoped the witnesses would be available next time.

‘The loss of Cian is in the forefront of our minds at all times,’ the coroner said.

Cian ‘charmed all who met him in his short life’, according to a message posted on his death notice. The inquest was adjourned to June 11 for a full hearing.