CHI apologises for delay in diagnosing liver cancer in toddler, who later died

Irish Examiner

15-07-2025

Children's Health Ireland has unreservedly apologised for a delay in diagnosing childhood liver cancer in a little girl, who later died.
Eveen Sheehy was only two and half years old when she died six years ago.
The family's counsel, Oonah McCrann SC instructed by Niamh Ní Mhurchú solicitor, told the High Court it was their case there were 'multiple missed opportunities, missed diagnosis and a delay in treatment'.
Eveen's family, counsel said, were 'tortured by the what if'. The case was before the court as the Sheehy family settled an action against Children's Health Ireland over Eveen's death.
In a letter which was read to the court, Children's Health Ireland (CHI) unreservedly apologised for the delay in diagnosis and acknowledged the impact and trauma of Eveen's death on the family.
The letter, which was signed by CHI chief executive Lucy Nugent added: 'We acknowledge and deeply regret the delay in Eveen's diagnosis and again would like to express our deepest condolences on the loss of your daughter.'
Ciaran Sheehy, Tuam, Co Galway, had sued Children's Health Ireland over the death of his daughter, Eveen.
Counsel told the court Eveen was born with a congenital heart condition and had a number of hospitalisations and surgeries. She said a CT scan in February 2018, which included some of the child's upper abdomen, was 'erroneously reported as normal'.
Counsel said in October of that year, it was noted the little girl had an enlarged liver and it should have been fully investigated.
Ms McCrann said Eveen had an MRI scan of her abdomen at the Crumlin children's hospital in May 2019, and the liver cancer diagnosis was made.
She was started on chemotherapy but it was decided the little girl was not a candidate for liver resection or a liver transplant and to the 'enormous grief and distress of her family', she died on December 18, 2019.
In the proceedings, it was claimed that in February 2018 while in CHI Crumlin, Eveen had a scan which showed some of the upper abdomen.
The upper abdomen was recorded as 'unremarkable' when, it is claimed, the images showed an abnormality in the liver at the periphery of the CT scan. Had the abnormality, which was a 2cm rounded area, been noted and reported, it is claimed the baby would have undergone further scans, including an MRI and blood tests. It was contended that on the balance of probabilities Eveen would have had a diagnosis within a week or two.
It was claimed there was a failure to report an abnormality in the liver at the periphery of the CT scan in February 2018.
There was, it was claimed, a gross delay in the diagnosis of liver cancer, resulting in a consequent delay in the commencement of treatment and reduction in treatment options.
Noting the settlement and approving the division of the €35,000 statutory mental distress payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a particularly tragic case.
The judge extended his deepest sympathy to Eveen's parents, Ciaran and Sandra Sheehy, and her sister Brianna and the wider family.