Taoiseach Says Probe into Malak's Death May Be Possible

13.07.2017

Health Minister Simon Harris has asked former Rotunda Hospital master Dr Peter McKenna to provide an assessment of the case of Malak Thawley, who died after a surgical accident at the National Maternity Hospital last year. He will examine the existing evidence from the inquest into her death and an internal hospital report to assess if an external probe should be carried out.

The minister said Dr McKenna would provide him with a view on the appropriateness of the clinical reviews that have been undertaken to date. He also asked Patrick Lynch, national director of quality assurance and verification, to examine how the National Maternity Hospital conducted the investigation into Mrs Thawley’s death.

Earlier in the week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed his sympathies to Mrs Thawley’s husband Alan. Speaking in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said an external review of the circumstances that led to her death may be possible.

Mrs Thawley (34), who was undergoing a simple operation for ectopic pregnancy in May 2016, suffered a fatal haemorrhage after a major blood vessel was cut. Mr Thawley had been assured by staff that they do this procedure 30 to 40 times a week.

Mr Thawley has repeated his call for an independent inquiry into his wife’s death. “One of the very big issues I have is that this hospital killed my wife through their multiple and serious failings—and they are the same people who have to give me all the evidence as to how my wife died,” he told Pat Kenny on Newstalk radio.

He also called on Holles Street master Dr Rhona Mahony to make a public statement on the matter.

Caoimhe Haughey, solicitor for Mr Thawley, said Dr Mahony had offered to meet him. However, specific information that he requested in advance of the meeting was not forthcoming and that is why the meeting did not take place, she added.

Irish Independent. July 13. Irish Independent. July 14.