Treasa Norrby, one of our medical negligence solicitors, represented a Mayo family at an inquest today where their baby boy was fatally injured during birth. A verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at Galway Coroner’s Court following the death of Ódhran Dever at University Hospital Galway.
Coroner records medical misadventure verdict following death of baby Ódhran Dever
Coroner Ciarán MacLoughlin described the death of the Mayo couple’s baby boy as one of the saddest inquests he has ever dealt with.
Ódhran’s parents, Andrea (née Barrett) and Terence Dever, from Belmullet and Achill, have called for improvements to obstetric care at University Hospital Galway following the death of their son, who sustained injuries during his delivery by caesarean section.
Ódhran was the first child of Andrea and Terence. He was delivered by caesarean section at University Hospital Galway on October 1, 2025, at 28 weeks’ gestation. He died two days later.
At the inquest, Ciara Davin BL, instructed by our solicitor Treasa Norrby on behalf of the family, described Ódhran’s condition following the delivery. She told the court that a neonatologist had asked his parents what had happened during the birth because of the severity of his condition. His injuries were so extensive that staff were unable to insert a peripheral line into his limbs because of the bruising.
The coroner recorded a verdict of medical misadventure and offered his condolences to Andrea and Terence. He said it was one of the saddest inquests he had dealt with.
Andrea and Terence welcomed the verdict and said they hoped that lessons would be learned so that other families would not have to experience the loss they have suffered.
“We welcome the coroner’s verdict of medical misadventure in the circumstances surrounding the death of our beautiful son.”
“Odhran entered a theatre in University Hospital Galway on 1st October, 2025, as a perfectly healthy baby ready to meet the world. He left that theatre with fatal injuries and tragically passed away two days later,” said the heartbroken couple who live in Achill.
“While nothing can undo the pain of our loss or bring our beautiful child back, it is our profound hope that improvements will be made to obstetric care in University Hospital Galway and throughout Ireland, so that no other family must endure the heartbreak we live with every day. Let those improvements be part of Odhran’s legacy, his short life will help to make a difference for other babies and families in the future,” said Andrea and Terence.
“We would like to thank our family and friends for their love and support, our legal team and everyone who has stood alongside us during this unbearably difficult time,” they added.
Pregnancy and delivery
The inquest heard that an ultrasound carried out when Andrea was 21 weeks pregnant showed that her placenta was low-lying and posterior. This meant she was considered to be at risk of bleeding.
She was subsequently admitted to hospital as a high-risk patient after suffering a bleed at 27 weeks. Further bleeds occurred between September 25 and October 1, after which clinicians decided that a category two caesarean section should be carried out.
Specialist registrar Dr Josil Selvi Jothi told the inquest that she commenced the operation, with consultant obstetrician Dr Nada Warreth assisting.
According to evidence given to the court, the baby was initially in a head-first position but moved into a transverse lie after the amniotic sac ruptured. This made it more difficult to deliver him through the surgical incision.
Both doctors attempted to deliver Ódhran by taking hold of one of his feet and pulling him towards the incision. The attempts were unsuccessful, even after the incision was extended to form a “T-shape”.
Dr Sumita Sarma, a third consultant obstetrician, was then called to assist. She was called from the corridor and delivered Ódhran. She told the inquest that she did not consider the delivery difficult.
Andrea told the inquest that during the procedure she experienced “a substantial amount of pressure and tugging under my right rib”.
When Ódhran was delivered, he was pale, blue and in shock, the court heard.
Ódhran’s condition after delivery
Ódhran was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit, where doctors found severe bruising to his hands, arms, leg and back.
He subsequently developed Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and metabolic acidosis. There were concerns that he was suffering from internal abdominal bleeding, while his haemoglobin level continued to fall despite receiving multiple blood transfusions.
The inquest heard that Ódhran’s kidneys were compromised. Consultant neonatologist Dr Johannes Letswhiti recorded concerns that he may have suffered a liver injury during the delivery.
An ultrasound scan subsequently identified fluid in his abdomen which was considered suspicious for blood.
Medical staff made significant efforts to keep Ódhran alive. However, he ultimately suffered a massive haemorrhage and his care was changed to palliative treatment.
Ódhran died in his mother’s arms on October 3, surrounded by his family.
His father, Terence Dever told the inquest: “We were living out our worst nightmare.”
Post-mortem examination
Pathologist Dr Laura Aalto carried out a post-mortem examination. She told the inquest that there were no dysmorphic features or congenital abnormalities and that Ódhran’s measurements and organ weights were within the expected range for his gestational age.
Dr Aalto concluded that the cause of death was extensive internal haemorrhage, involving both the intracranial and intra-abdominal areas, with secondary hypoxic ischaemic injuries.
She told the court that the liver injuries had been caused during the difficult extraction. She said they may have resulted from external compression, traction or manipulation during the extraction, or from an acute increase in abdominal pressure.
Dr Aalto concluded that the injuries occurred during the delivery or immediately afterwards. She told the coroner that, in her view, the liver injury occurred first, followed by the subsequent deterioration in Ódhran’s condition.
Medical negligence solicitors
If you or a family member has suffered an injury or loss following medical treatment, you may wish to seek legal advice about your circumstances.
Our medical negligence team can advise you on your legal rights and the options available to you.
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