Inquest opens into teenager's death at Mayo hospital
Statements from 21 witnesses were heard at Swinford Courthouse today as the Coroner for Mayo, Pat O'Connor, opened an inquest into the death of a teenage student who died at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) in April 2020.
Sally Maaz, Carrarea, Ballyhaunis, was a 17-year-old Leaving Certificate student when she passed away on April 24, 2020.
After giving details of her health conditions, including a congenital heart defect that she was born with, Sally's father, Abdullah Maaz, outlined the circumstances that saw her being admitted to MUH on April 14, 2020, complaining of back pain.
It was discovered that she had a chest infection and she was placed in a Covid ward, although he was subsequently told that a test for Covid-19 taken on admission proved negative.
Because of the infection and a clot in her lung, Sally was kept in hospital because she needed oxygen.
She subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 and deteriorated, passing away on April 24.
Mr. Maaz said the family had a number of questions following Sally's death, including why wasn't she admitted to ICU when she presented at the emergency department of the hospital on April 14, why was she moved into a Covid ward, how did she contract the virus, and why was she given an opioid when suffering from respiratory distress.
Detective Sergeant Michael Doherty and Detective Garda Declan Sweeney gave evidence of being made aware of concerns surrounding Sally's death by Martina and Jemima Burke, who called to Castlebar Garda Station on May 1, 2020. Mrs. and Ms. Burke, mother and daughter, wanted a criminal investigation opened.
Det. Sgt. Doherty advised that he did not think a criminal investigation would be opened, a decision the Burkes did not agree with, while the Maaz family subsequently told him they alleged no criminal act but did have questions about Sally's care at MUH.
After both garda witnesses had given evidence, proceedings were interrupted by the Burkes, who alleged the full truth was not being heard.
The interruption continued after a 10-minute adjournment until eventually, following repeated warnings from the coroner and gardaí for the pair to sit down and be silent, they were removed from the courtroom.
Apologising to the Maaz family, Mr. O'Connor said he hoped there would be no further interruptions.
Evidence from a number of doctors and nurses followed throughout the hearing, including Dr. Eileen Shannon, who examined Sally on April 14, the day she was admitted, and recommended escalating her to 'the Covid-19 pathway' working under the guidelines at the time.
Professor Tom O'Malley said he felt the pulmonary embolism (blood clot) was a huge factor in Sally's deterioration. Treating her with an opioid-like drug was appropriate, he felt, as was the dosage administered.
He added that although 'scanty' MRSA was detected while she was in hospital, there were three other major conditions leading to her deterioration – her heart condition, the blood clot and Covid-19. MRSA would have come after that in terms of seriousness.
The professor also revealed that the Covid-19 plan they were working under at the time was a national plan, with suspected cases (as Sally Maaz was) and confirmed cases treated on the Covid ward and persons with no symptoms treated on the non-Covid ward.
Others to give evidence included Dr. Eoin Keating, Dr. Abuzar Babiker, Dr. Shomik Sibartie, Nurse Margaret Casey-Burke, Nurse Aisling Byrne and Nurse Michelle Hopkins, while depositions by Dr. Nur Khaleeda Abidin, Dr. John Paul Murphy, Dr. Michael Hurley, Dr. Mohamad Faruque Hossain, Dr. Cyril Rooney, Nurse Marie Lyons, Nurse Ramona Neill, Nurse Niamh Higgins and Nurse Fiona Walsh were read to the court by Superintendent Joe McKenna.
The Maaz family is being represented by Mr. Johan Verbruggen of Callan Tansey Solicitors while MUH and the HSE are being represented by Mr. Conor Bourke, SC, instructed by solicitor Mr. Padraic Brennan of Ronan Daly Jermyn.
The inquest continues today (Friday) Swinford Courthouse.