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A couple whose baby son died two days after his premature birth at Cork University Maternity Hospital in Ireland have settled a High Court action against the Health Service Executive (HSE).
John and Aine Duggan, from Rathpeacon, County Cork, reached a settlement following a four-year legal battle over the death of their first child, George Duggan, who died on December 21, 2022. He was born by emergency caesarean section on December 19, 2022, at 29 weeks and three days of pregnancy.
The settlement was addressed in court on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The couple’s legal action centred on concerns about the medical assessment and monitoring of Aine Duggan and her baby in the days leading up to the birth.
According to the case presented in court, the parents argued that more frequent assessments after a hospital review on December 8, 2022, could have identified worsening placental function and led to earlier intervention. They maintained that an earlier caesarean section, before Aine Duggan’s waters broke on December 19, could have improved their baby’s chances of survival.
The HSE admitted that it breached its duty of care by failing to carry out more frequent fetal monitoring following the December 8 review. However, it denied that this breach caused George’s death.
During the proceedings, the court heard that George suffered bruising and a subgaleal haemorrhage, a type of bleeding beneath the scalp, following his premature delivery. He died in his parents’ arms two days after his birth.
The hospital’s clinical director, Dr Mairead O’Riordan, conveyed the hospital’s heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the family in a letter read to the court. The letter also stated that maternity practices at the hospital were being continuously reviewed and strengthened to improve patient safety and wellbeing.
The High Court approved the settlement, which included the statutory €35,000 mental distress payment. Mr Justice Paul Coffey expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved parents.
Speaking outside the court, Aine Duggan said the loss of George had changed their lives forever. She described the family’s grief and the pain of revisiting the circumstances surrounding his death during the lengthy legal process.
The couple held George’s funeral on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022. Aine said the day, normally associated with happiness and celebration, had instead become one of the most painful moments of their lives.
She also spoke about their younger son, Charlie, who will grow up without his older brother. The family, she said, continues to grieve for the milestones and experiences George never had the opportunity to enjoy.
Aine Duggan said she had chosen private maternity care because she believed it would provide the best possible care for herself and her baby. She also said she had raised concerns about reduced fetal movements and sought reassurance from medical staff.
She believed her concerns were being taken seriously when she was told there was nothing to worry about. Reflecting on her experience, she urged other parents to trust their instincts, continue asking questions and ensure their concerns are heard by healthcare professionals.
The couple said they hoped that speaking publicly about George’s death would help protect other families from experiencing similar tragedies.
“George will always be loved, always be remembered and always be our little boy,” Aine said in a statement on behalf of herself and her husband, adding that no apology could undo what happened or bring their son back.
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