Star Mayo footballer discharged from hospital died after being readmitted, inquest told

A talented young Mayo soccer player who became seriously ill at football training was discharged from hospital after tests but had to be readmitted and died some hours later from meningococcal septicaemia, an inquest was told today.

Mary Mulchrone, mother of 21-year-old Adam Mulchrone, a member of the Westport United FC, gave evidence at an inquest into her son’s death that when he returned early from training on the morning of January 26, 2019, he had a headache, was vomiting and had a temperature.

Along with her daughter, Amy, she brought Adam to a Westdoc GP who advised that he be admitted to Mayo University Hospital (MUH) “as it was an emergency."

Mrs. Mulchrone, in a statement which was read to today’s hearing, conducted by the Coroner for Mayo, Pat O’Connor, explained that her son was seen by a doctor, whom she now knew as Dr. Georgios Diakidis, Locum Consultant in Emergency Medicine.

“Adam was very sick at this time," the statement continued.

He told Dr. Diakidis that the pain in his head was the worst headache he had in his life. Also, during that period in A&E, he was falling in and out of sleep.

Mrs. Mulchrone said that in the hospital Amy and her had seen red flares/patches on Adam’s skin in the chest and neck region which were flaring and fading.

"We pointed this out to Dr. Diakidis and the doctor reviewed Adam in the context of these symptoms but he indicated they were not concerning."

Mrs. Mulchrone said that Adam was discharged with a prescription for ibruprofen, paracetamol and stemetil.

“He seemed very sick on discharge and there did not seem to be any improvement in him whilst he was still in hospital," she stated.

During the night, Mrs. Mulchrone testified, her son’s condition deteriorated and he was readmitted to hospital.

“Adam never seemed to recover after arriving back to hospital. He was in terrible pain throughout and he died at 16.42 that day."

Outlining the emotional impact of the tragic death on her and her family, Mrs. Mulchrone explained: “That day, January 27, 2019, our world changed forever.

“We lost her beautiful and kind son and brother, Adam. Our lives will never be the same again. Adam was a beautiful soul who was loved by many and was often described as a true gentleman.

“He was a fit and healthy 21-year-old man who was full of life and now he will never get to kick a football or laugh with his friends and family again."

Dr. Diakidis did not give direct evidence to today’s hearing but provided a statement which was read into evidence by Sergeant Thomas McIntyre, courts presenter for An Garda Siochana.

In his statement, Dr. Diakidis said the results of blood tests carried out while Adam was in A&E was not consistent with significant infection. There were no signs of rash.

Upon his discharge, Adam felt he had improved and was ‘happy to go home’, he maintained.

At the outset of the hearing, Mr. Conor Halpin, senior counsel for MUH and hospital staff, said it was accepted that Adam’s vital signs should have been reassessed before he was discharged.

The Mulchrone family is represented at the hearing – which resumes in Swinford at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) – by Mr. Ciaran Tansey (Damien Tansey Solicitors).