Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP secures ‘Medical Misadventure’ verdict over death of man in his 60s at Galway University Hospital

A verdict of medical misadventure has been returned by Dr. Ciaran McLoughlin, West Galway Coroner, at an Inquest into the death of a 68 year old man at Galway University Hospital (GUH).

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP acted for the family of Michael Mannion, from Glenamaddy, County Galway, who died on 30th September 2018. Dr. Sine Phelan (Consultant Pathologist) gave the cause of death as Sepsis, Acute Peritonitis and bronchopneumonia, large bowel ischemia with a background of recent aortic graft replacement surgery.

Mr. Mannion, a retired labourer, suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He attended GUH where, in an effort to treat his condition, he underwent a number of procedures including an endovascular repair and a translumbar embolization. Following a repair procedure on 18 th September 2018, Mr. Mannion became progressively unwell. He went on to develop massive pneumoperitoneum due to a perforated colon, from which he never recovered.

During the course of the eight day Coroners’ Inquest, the Clinical Director at GUH expressed serious concerns regarding certain vascular procedures being performed at the hospital.

The Coroner made a recommendation that an Inquiry be held at GUH in order to investigate other previous deaths – for the purpose of preventing similar deaths occurring in the future.

Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP was represented by Damien MP Tansey SC (Senior Partner) and Marie-Claire Burke (Associate)