Our medical negligence solicitors at Callan Tansey have secured a €1.9 million settlement on behalf of our client, Dillon Brennan, a 16-year-old boy who suffered severe birth injuries following a delayed Caesarean section at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, in 2009.
Case Summary:
- Injury Type: Birth injury due to delayed emergency Caesarean
- Legal Issue: Alleged medical negligence and breach of statutory duty
- Settlement: €1.9 million (approved by the High Court)
- Client Representation: Callan Tansey Solicitors LLP
A 16-year-old boy who sustained serious injuries during his birth at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, has been awarded a €1.9 million settlement approved by the High Court.
Dillon Brennan was born on January 30, 2009, following what was described as a delayed emergency Caesarean section amid internal disagreements among medical staff. His mother, Corinna Brennan, brought the case on his behalf, alleging medical negligence by the HSE and a breach of statutory duty in providing adequate care during the birth.
Mrs Brennan, who lives in Athy, Co Kildare and is her son’s full-time carer, had been admitted five days past her due date. Initial monitoring showed abnormal heart rate patterns in the unborn baby, but a CTG (cardiotocography) was reportedly discontinued despite the concerning readings. A second CTG revealed continued abnormalities, yet labour was augmented with the drug syntocinon.
It was claimed that poor documentation and miscommunication followed, and that a decision to proceed with a Caesarean section was delayed—ultimately carried out 80 minutes after the call was made, far beyond the standard response time.
Dillon was born with breathing difficulties linked to hypoxia and required urgent resuscitation. It was alleged that a dispute between doctors during resuscitation hindered his care. One doctor reportedly interrupted another’s attempt to intubate Dillon, shouting instructions and disrupting the process before successful resuscitation was completed.
Following his birth, Dillon experienced multiple complications, including jaundice, vomiting blood, high blood pressure, and kidney and brain damage, spending 11 days in intensive care. An MRI later confirmed severe and lasting injuries.
At the High Court, Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved the €1.9 million settlement without admission of liability. Addressing Dillon, who was present, the judge said he was pleased to see him and wished him well.
Speaking after the hearing, family solicitor David O’Malley of Callan Tansey solicitors welcomed the settlement, noting the security it would provide Dillon. He praised the role of the State Claims Agency and highlighted systemic issues in Irish maternity care, including delays in delivery, poor CTG monitoring, and misuse of Oxytocin—problems still present in 2025.
Mr O’Malley also criticised the lack of infant hypoxia treatment facilities outside Dublin and Cork, calling it a “second-tier maternity system” and echoing calls for urgent reform. “One cannot think of a more important right than the right to breathe and be protected at birth,” he said.