Mayo coroner and two members of public clash at preliminary Covid inquest hearing
Proceedings to lay the groundwork for the hearing of inquests into two Covid-19 related deaths at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) were interrupted today.
There were fractious exchanges in Swinford Courthouse between the Coroner for Mayo, Patrick O’Connor, and two members of the public in the body of the court, Jemima Burke and her mother, Martina.
The coroner and legal representatives for the HSE and the family of 17-year-old Sally Maaz were finalising arrangements for the inquest into Sally’s death next February when Jemima Burke began asking questions about the format of the hearing.
The coroner responded by firmly informing Ms. Burke that she was “not going to tell him how to run the inquest” and he would deal only with legal representatives of both sides (the HSE and the Maaz family).
“You have no right whatsoever to interfere with the conduct of these inquests," Mr. O’Connor added.
Martina Burke responded: “This is a public inquest and you must have respect for the public”.
The exchanges continued with Martina Burke telling the coroner: “You are not invincible, let me tell you."
Dates were finalised today for the hearing of the inquests into the Covid related deaths of Sally Maaz and John Carolan.
Ms. Maaz (17), a Leaving Certificate student at Ballyhaunis Community School, died at MUH on April 24, 2020.
Her family have posed questions about the circumstances of her death.
They claim that Sally, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was admitted to the hospital’s Covid ward ten days before she died although she had tested negative for coronavirus.
The second Covid related inquest – relates to the death of John Carolan (79) from Bellacorrick, Ballina.
His family claim he contracted Covid at MUH while being treated on the same ward as virus patients.
The inquest into Ms. Maaz’s death is listed for Swinford Courthouse on February 22 while the hearing into Sally Maaz’s death is fixed for February 24 at the same venue