Interim Settlement for Young Boy who sustained Catastrophic Injuries at Birth

Karen Kearney, Ernest Cantillon and the Medical Negligence Team at Cantillons Solicitors were delighted to assist Iarlaith O’Cinneide and his parents in securing an interim settlement of €3,682,629.00 together with costs.

These monies will help ensure that Iarlaith has the care and therapies he needs for the next 5 years until his case comes before the Court again on the 3rd December 2024.   

The settlement was secured after a lengthy court battle, in which the HSE only admitted liability and causation, some six years after Iarlaith’s birth. They have never apologised.

Approving the settlement on the 6th day of December 2019, Mr. Justice Cross praised Iarlaith’s parents who had “turned up trumps” for Iarlaith and who has made “extraordinary strides”. 

Iarlaith, a delightful little boy, spoke to the media on leaving the Four Courts and won the nation’s hearts.   He told journalists “I am very happy with my progress.  I am very happy that I can talk, walk, eat, sleep, and dance.”

Fiachra O’Cinnéide, Iarlaith’s father, gave this statement following Court:

“Today marks the end of a long struggle in getting justice for our son Iarlaith who suffered catastrophic injuries during the circumstances of his birth in Cork University Maternity Hospital, as a result of which he has Cerebral Palsy.

Unfortunately, it took 6 years, and a court case, for the HSE to admit liability.  We have yet to receive an apology.

Due to his CP condition, Iarlaith faces challenges every day but rises to each one.  He is a wonderful, funny child who we love dearly and are so proud of, as we are of our other two boys Somhairle and Tahdg.

The money Iarlaith received today is mostly for care and therapy for the next five years which will help ensure that his potential is maximised, and his many needs due to his disability are met.

Due to Iarlaith’s young age it was felt that if his case was settled on a full and final basis, he could end up being undercompensated as there are still many uncertainties as to Iarlaith’s prognosis both physically and cognitively.

 We would like to thank all the people who work with Iarlaith, especially his physiotherapist Vera Bohner -Martin, HSE Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist in North Cork area.  Iarlaith can walk today because of her skill and care.  We were told he would never walk.

Finally we would like to thank Iarlaith’s Solicitors Cantillons for prosecuting this case on behalf of Iarlaith and for achieving this interim award for him.”

Media Coverage of the Settlement

RTE News coverage

Irish Examiner coverage

Irish Times Coverage

Irish Independent Coverage

Contact Our Birth Injury Claim Solicitors

If you are looking for a Birth Injury Claim Solicitor, please contact Cantillons Solicitors using the contact form below, call us on +353 (0)21 4275673 or email us at info@cantillons.com for more information. Our offices are located at 39 South Mall, Cork. We do, however, represent clients from all over Ireland. Should you be unable to attend our offices, we are more than happy to travel to you, or conduct the meeting on Zoom.

* In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement.