HSE accused of being ‘cavalier’ over baby death
THE HSE has been accused of “playing ducks and drakes” with a coroner’s office over the death of a baby who died hours after she was born.
The allegation was made at an inquest by the lawyer for the family of the late Livia Ukova Marini.
The infant was born and died of natural causes on May 18, 2014, at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny.
Solicitor Raymond Bradley, for parents Ludmila Ukova and Aldo Marini, said there had not been full disclosure by the HSE of depositions relating to the baby’s death.
“Depositions have not been provided and medical details have not been provided,” he said, adding that documents were being received by the family’s solicitors “on a piecemeal basis”.
A full copy of the CGT, the trace performed on baby Livia’s heart in hospital, was received only last Friday.
“I’ve been looking for that for two-and-a-half years,” Mr Bradley said.
“The HSE is playing ducks and drakes with your [coroner’s] statutory functions and powers,” he submitted to the coroner for Co Kilkenny, Tim Kiely.
“This family have lost a child and to be treated in such a cavalier manner is most inappropriate. It’s wrong.”
Paul McGinn BL, for the HSE, said he understood a Freedom of Information request was made for the CGT in 2015, and “that was fully complied with”.
Mr Kiely agreed to adjourn the inquest until February 5.