Latest news with #Tansey
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Novel hip dysplasia surgery risks not properly explained, say parents
Some parents whose children had a novel hip surgery at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) were not offered conventional treatment or told of risks from double-hip surgeries, a solicitor has warned. Several families have now taken legal advice as they are unsure what will happen next. This follows a shocking audit, published on Friday, which showed 79% of hip dysplasia surgeries at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, and 60% in CHI at Temple St did not meet required criteria. A six-month process of review has begun for more than 2,200 children. Ciaran Tansey, a partner with Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP, said parents are worried about how long this might take in reality. 'In terms of the families we represent, it doesn't appear that proper and appropriate prevention of risks were gone through with the families as to the options that were open to them,' Mr Tansey said. This includes options, he said, on 'unilateral or bilateral surgery, or a novel technique, or a more conservative technique'. Parents said they were not told what the novel treatment involved versus what the traditional treatment involved. Some are also concerned their child may have had two hips operated upon when only one was needed. Unilateral hip surgery is for one hip, and bilateral means both hips are operated upon. The audit report said: 'Some surgeons' samples indicated a very high rate of bilateral, rather than unilateral, pelvic osteotomies.' International data shows one third of surgeries for hip dysplasia will be on both hips, the audit states. 'High rates' However, these two hospitals had 'high rates' of bilateral operations above this predicted rate. The audit does not directly address informed consent, but it does say a 'proper process of consent' should be given in future. It gives specific examples of what parents should be told. Mr Tansey said: 'It's almost like Groundhog Day again. We're again looking at orthopaedic services being provided for kids in the main children's hospitals in Ireland. It might be that a lot of the public are lumping these crises together, assuming it's the same crisis 'In reality, it's a parallel crisis in the same hospitals.' Mr Tansey also continues to represent the family of Dollceanna Carter, 10, who was a Temple St hospital patient. The little girl had spina bifida and scoliosis. She died in September 2022, and her death was the subject of a coroner's review and a serious incident investigation by CHI. While CHI's former CEO Eilish Hardiman had pledged this review would be complete by October 2023, it has not yet been published. On Sunday evening, families worried about the hip surgeries met in a Zoom meeting with the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Paediatric Advocacy Group (SPHPAG) and the Scoliosis Advocacy Network. Amanda Coughlan Santry, the co-founder of the advocacy group, said many children with these conditions have had this surgery, but the crisis affects a wider group of children also. 'Parents are terrified now, they don't know what to do or where to go to get information,' she warned. This comes as the Sunday Times reported a consultant working in CHI breached HSE guidelines by referring his own public patients to private clinics he was funded to run at weekends. It was reported that an internal inquiry dating back to 2021 discovered this doctor was paid €38,000 by the State's National Treatment Purchase Fund to do this extra work. It was also reported that this may have delayed care for very young and vulnerable children. The story does not name the speciality of care involved at the CHI hospital concerned. Read More Situation for children needing scoliosis surgery critical, says ombudsman for children
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Inquest into death of farmer being used to question ‘validity' of his marriage the day before he died, coroner's courts hears
Joe Grogan (75) of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly died at home on April 15, 2023. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the Irish farming community as his large landholding had hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. The National Ploughing Association announced last December that this year's event will be hosted by his wife, Lisa Flaherty-Grogan on the same farmland on September 16-18. Angry exchanges between legal representatives of various members of the deceased's family dominated the opening of an inquest into Mr Grogan's death at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore on Friday. Counsel for Ms Flaherty-Grogan, Stephen Byrne BL, expressed concern that the proceedings were being used to question the validity of his client's marriage to the deceased on April 14, 2023 – the day before his death. Mr Byrne's comments followed a remark by Damien Tansey SC, counsel for three first cousins of Mr Grogan – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – about the couple's 'would-be marriage.' 'To the world my client is legitimately and validly married,' Mr Byrne replied. He asked the coroner, Raymond Mahon, to rule on the relevancy of the marriage to the inquest. Mr Tansey retorted that Mr Byrne's observation was 'preposterous' and claimed the marriage was relevant. However, the coroner said Mr Tansey's comment about a 'would-be marriage' was 'an inappropriate term to use' and he ruled that the marriage was not relevant in relation to the cause of Mr Grogan's death. A large number of various relatives of Mr Grogan attended the inquest at Tullamore Courthouse including Ms Flaherty-Grogan who cried silently through large parts of the proceedings. At the opening of the hearing, Mr Tansey sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that the doctor who attended Mr Grogan's home two hours after his death, Ben Kato, was not available to give evidence. The barrister said it was absolutely essential to be able to question Dr Kato given 'the level of uncertainty' over Mr Grogan's death. Mr Tansey explained that in his long legal career he had never come across a case before where a pathologist's report had been unable to come to a conclusion about the cause of death. He told the inquest that Mr Grogan's body had been 'taken away and embalmed' before a notification of the death form was completed. Mr Tansey said the process was only stopped after the intervention of gardaí 'but not before irreparable damage was done.' Mr Byrne interjected to vehemently reject any attempt to impugn the reputation of or make insinuations about Ms Flaherty-Grogan or anyone at the time of Mr Grogan's death. He accused Mr Tansey of using 'the cloak of privilege' to make claims about Ms Flaherty-Grogan but stressed he would interject any time to protect his client when her good name and reputation was being targeted. The coroner observed that the exchanges between the two legal representatives was like 'a sparring match between two opponents jostling each other around the pitch.' However, Mr Mahon agreed to adjourn the case to arrange for Dr Kato to be called to give evidence after Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also stated he would wish to question the witness. Mr Tansey also asked the coroner to allow another cousin of the farmer, Padraig Grogan, to give evidence. Counsel said Padraig Grogan had visited the deceased on numerous occasions since Joe Grogan had been diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and had 'got access on eight occasions.' Mr Tansey said the deceased's cousin would have 'an awful lot of evidence that would be helpful.' The coroner noted that he had already received a number of depositions from Mr Grogan but had decided that one witness from the family, Seán Grogan, would be enough for the inquest. While he did not see the relevance of Padraig Grogan's evidence, Mr Mahon told Mr Tansey that he could submit another deposition from him before a rescheduled hearing. Mr Tansey said there was another second cousin of the deceased called Enta who had visited Mr Grogan practically every day including the day of his 'would-be marriage.' Apologising to witnesses who had attended the hearing, the coroner adjourned the case for a date to be rearranged.
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Validity of Offaly farmer's marriage questioned at inquest
A coroner's court has heard claims that an inquest into the death of an Offaly farmer is being used to question the validity of his marriage on the day before he died two years ago. Joe Grogan, 75, of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly died at home on 15 April 2023. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the Irish farming community as his large landholding had hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. The National Ploughing Association announced last December that this year's event will be hosted by his wife Lisa Flaherty-Grogan on the same farmland on September 16 and 18. Angry exchanges between legal representatives of various members of the deceased's family dominated the opening of an inquest into Mr Grogan's death at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore. Counsel for Ms Flaherty-Grogan, Stephen Byrne BL, expressed concern that the proceedings were being used to question the validity of his client's marriage to the deceased on 14 April 2023 – the day before his death. Mr Byrne's comments followed a remark by Damien Tansey SC, counsel for three first cousins of Mr Grogan, Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan, about the couple's "would-be marriage". "To the world my client is legitimately and validly married," Mr Byrne replied. He asked the coroner, Raymond Mahon, to rule on the relevancy of the marriage to the inquest. Mr Tansey retorted that Mr Byrne's observation was "preposterous" and claimed the marriage was relevant. However, the coroner said Mr Tansey's comment about a "would-be marriage" was "an inappropriate term to use" and he ruled that the marriage was not relevant in relation to the cause of Mr Grogan's death. A large number of various relatives of Mr Grogan attended the inquest at Tullamore Courthouse, including Ms Flaherty-Grogan. At the opening of the hearing, Mr Tansey sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that the doctor who attended Mr Grogan's home two hours after his death, Ben Kato, was not available to give evidence. The barrister said it was absolutely essential to be able to question Dr Kato given "the level of uncertainty" over Mr Grogan's death. Mr Tansey explained that in his long legal career, he had never come across a case before where a pathologist's report had been unable to come to a conclusion about the cause of death. He told the inquest that Mr Grogan's body had been "taken away and embalmed" before a notification of the death form was completed. Mr Tansey said the process was only stopped after the intervention of gardaí "but not before irreparable damage was done". Mr Byrne interjected to vehemently reject any attempt to impugn the reputation of or make insinuations about Ms Flaherty-Grogan or anyone at the time of Mr Grogan's death. He accused Mr Tansey of using "the cloak of privilege" to make claims about Ms Flaherty-Grogan but stressed he would interject any time to protect his client when her good name and reputation was being targeted. The coroner observed that the exchanges between the two legal representatives was like "a sparring match between two opponents jostling each other around the pitch". However, Mr Mahon agreed to adjourn the case to arrange for Dr Kato to be called to give evidence after Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also stated he would wish to question the witness. Mr Tansey also asked the coroner to allow another cousin of the farmer, Padraig Grogan, to give evidence. Counsel said Padraig Grogan had visited the deceased on numerous occasions since Joe Grogan had been diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and had "got access on eight occasions". Mr Tansey said the deceased's cousin would have "an awful lot of evidence that would be helpful". The coroner noted that he had already received a number of depositions from Mr Grogan but had decided that one witness from the family, Seán Grogan, would be enough for the inquest. While he did not see the relevance of Padraig Grogan's evidence, Mr Mahon told Mr Tansey that he could submit another deposition from him before a rescheduled hearing. Mr Tansey said there was another second cousin of the deceased called Enta who had visited Mr Grogan practically every day including the day of his "would-be marriage". Apologising to witnesses who had attended the hearing, the coroner adjourned the case for a date to be rearranged.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
National Ploughing farmer's marriage 'day before death' questioned at inquest
A coroner's court has heard claims that an inquest into the death of an Offaly farmer is being used to question the validity of his marriage on the day before he died two years ago. Joe Grogan (75) of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly died at home on April 15, 2023. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the Irish farming community as his large landholding had hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. The National Ploughing Association announced last December that this year's event will be hosted by his wife, Lisa Flaherty-Grogan on the same farmland on September 16-18. Angry exchanges between legal representatives of various members of the deceased's family dominated the opening of an inquest into Mr Grogan's death at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore on Friday. Counsel for Ms Flaherty-Grogan, Stephen Byrne BL, expressed concern that the proceedings were being used to question the validity of his client's marriage to the deceased on April 14, 2023 – the day before his death. Mr Byrne's comments followed a remark by Damien Tansey SC, counsel for three first cousins of Mr Grogan – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – about the couple's 'would-be marriage.' 'To the world my client is legitimately and validly married,' Mr Byrne replied. He asked the coroner, Raymond Mahon, to rule on the relevancy of the marriage to the inquest. Mr Tansey retorted that Mr Byrne's observation was 'preposterous' and claimed the marriage was relevant. However, the coroner said Mr Tansey's comment about a 'would-be marriage' was 'an inappropriate term to use' and he ruled that the marriage was not relevant in relation to the cause of Mr Grogan's death. A large number of various relatives of Mr Grogan attended the inquest at Tullamore Courthouse including Mr Flaherty-Grogan who cried silently through large parts of the proceedings. At the opening of the hearing, Mr Tansey sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that the doctor who attended Mr Grogan's home two hours after his death, Ben Kato, was not available to give evidence. The barrister said it was absolutely essential to be able to question Dr Kato given 'the level of uncertainty' over Mr Grogan's death. Mr Tansey explained that in his long legal career he had never come across a case before where a pathologist's report had been unable to come to a conclusion about the cause of death. He told the inquest that Mr Grogan's body had been 'taken away and embalmed' before a notification of the death form was completed. Mr Tansey said the process was only stopped after the intervention of gardaí 'but not before irreparable damage was done.' Mr Byrne interjected to vehemently reject any attempt to impugn the reputation of or make insinuations about Ms Flaherty-Grogan or anyone at the time of Mr Grogan's death. He accused Mr Tansey of using 'the cloak of privilege' to make claims about Ms Flaherty-Grogan but stressed he would interject any time to protect his client when her good name and reputation was being targeted. The coroner observed that the exchanges between the two legal representatives was like 'a sparring match between two opponents jostling each other around the pitch.' However, Mr Mahon agreed to adjourn the case to arrange for Dr Kato to be called to give evidence after Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also stated he would wish to question the witness. Mr Tansey also asked the coroner to allow another cousin of the farmer, Padraig Grogan, to give evidence. Counsel said Padraig Grogan had visited the deceased on numerous occasions since Joe Grogan had been diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and had 'got access on eight occasions.' Mr Tansey said the deceased's cousin would have 'an awful lot of evidence that would be helpful.' The coroner noted that he had already received a number of depositions from Mr Grogan but had decided that one witness from the family, Seán Grogan, would be enough for the inquest. While he did not see the relevance of Padraig Grogan's evidence, Mr Mahon told Mr Tansey that he could submit another deposition from him before a rescheduled hearing. Mr Tansey said there was another second cousin of the deceased called Enta who had visited Mr Grogan practically every day including the day of his 'would-be marriage.' Apologising to witnesses who had attended the hearing, the coroner adjourned the case for a date to be rearranged.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Drink-drive' lawyer said she couldn't take breathalyser test because she had ‘had her lips done'
A lawyer caught drink driving told police she couldn't take a roadside breathalyser test because she had 'had her lips done', a court heard. Rachel Tansey, 44, was pulled over at 2.20am after reports her silver Range Rover Discovery was 'weaving around' the road at 20 mph in a 60 mph zone. But when asked to blow into the intoxilyzer machine, barrister Tansey was claimed she could not fully seal her lips around the tube because of the procedure. Later when challenged the mother of three who lives in a £1.4 million mansion in Formby, Merseyside, said: 'Do not tell me what I can and cannot do. I am doing my very best. It is like asking someone to jump up after a tummy tuck. I cannot do it.' Officers told Ms Tansey she would have to provide a blood sample, to which she responded: ''Good luck trying to get blood from me. Let's roll the dice. I will not consent to blood.' She was subsequently charged with failing to provide breath and blood samples. At Sefton magistrates court, Ms Tansey denied wrongdoing, insisting she had not been drinking and had only been driving slowly as she had dropped a chicken wrap she had been eating and also swilling mouthwash into a cup while travelling along Formby Bypass. She also claimed the refusal to give blood was due to her having an undiagnosed phobia of needles. She said the cosmetic surgery was non-invasive but did not involve needles. Convicting her of both charges, District Judge James Hatton told her: ''From the moment that you got out of the car you attempted to manipulate this situation. ''You have tried to delay and delay and delay the officers. You tell the officers that you had nothing to drink. Clearly you had at least something to drink. 'You refused as soon as you were aware of the roadside and you made no proper attempt to blow at the roadside. You say you had your lips done. 'Clearly you are now trying to backtrack from the obvious meaning of 'I have had my lips done' because you knew by inference it would infer a needle being used. 'You were argumentative with police at the police station, argumentative with the prosecutor today in court. When told about blood you made no mention of the phobia, you said 'Roll the dice'. You won't let your pulse be taken, you won't let your blood pressure be taken, you won't even try. 'I find it extremely unlikely indeed that you would be eating a chicken wrap, chewing gum and swilling the mouthwash and spitting it into a cup while driving along Formby Bypass. 'I reject your account in its entirety as there is no support for it. You are a witness who lacks any kind of credibility whatsoever.'' He bailed her for sentencing saying: ''This will likely be dealt with by way of a community order. But I will not tie the hands of the sentencing court and will leave all options open, including custody.'' The incident occurred on April 20, 2023, after Tansey who also runs a bar in Liverpool was reported to a police patrol about her erratic driving by an off-duty colleague. PC Thomas Moore told the hearing: ''Upon opening the vehicle I could smell the scent of alcohol and she seemed to be slightly erratic in her behaviour. She automatically said she had been drinking plenty of mouthwash and eating chewing gum. ''She said that she would be unable to provide a roadside breath test because she had cosmetic surgery on her lips the day before. She was putting her lips around the tube and forming a seal at one point to provide a partial sample but could not complete and provide a full sample' He added: 'She was very arrogant to be honest.' Tansey told the court the procedure was an 'IPL,' a non-surgical skin treatment that using light to improve complexion. 'I have had IPL treatments - a course of six. You put them on your face and it is not invasive. It takes any hair from around your chin. These things happen when you get older. When I told them about my lip it was my upper lip,' she said. ''I have had a good few of those treatments and they say it can cause swelling and mild discomfort. It is UV light going on your skin. I have got very sensitive skin. But when I was talking about the procedure I have had, I was surrounded by seven men. I did not want to say 'I have had all my upper hair waxed off.' The barrister said she was 'shocked and really anxious about what was going on' after being pulled over, and claimed that she had offered to provide a urine sample after failing to provide a breath or blood sample. 'If you ask me to give blood it's like the shutters come down. No chance. No way. I was in a high state of anxiety at the time and my head just goes to a different place. I was really angry that they would not take the urine off me. They would not listen It is just a knee jerk reaction. I just go into defence mode,' she said. Ms Tansey was bailed for sentencing to March 4 at Liverpool Magistrates Court. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
