A teenage girl who sued over the circumstances of her premature birth at a Limerick maternity hospital has settled her High Court action against the HSE on terms including an initial payout of €2.1 million.

Katie McGuane and her twin brother were born prematurely in November 2003 but Katie’s twin died six days later, her counsel Dr John O’Mahony SC said. Katie is partially deaf with epilepsy and physical and mental impairment, he said.

His side contended there were two omissions in her mother’s care. A urine specimen was not examined and, had it been, that would have shown an infection which could have been treated, he said.

The second omission was full dilation was not diagnosed and steroids were not given which would have been beneficial to the babies, counsel said.

Through her mother Niamh, of Ballysimon Crescent, Fairgreen, Limerick city, Katie sued the HSE over the circumstances of her birth at St Munchin’s Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, on November 26th, 2003.

Source: Irish Times