Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0774Medical negligence, breach of duty · Co. Limerick · 27 Nov 2021

Family of PJ O'Connor settle High Court action over missed brain bleed at UHL

PJ O'Connor, a 71-year-old farmer from Capparoe, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, died on 6 December 2021 after a brain bleed visible on a CT scan at University Hospital Limerick was missed when read remotely by an outsourced radiology company in the early hours. The HSE admitted a breach of duty in February 2026, accepting that the failure to detect the bleed, the provision of contraindicated treatment, and a four-hour delay in ambulance transfer to a Cork hospital caused his wrongful and untimely death. The O'Connor family settled their High Court action, with the settlement reported in June 2026. Outside the Four Courts, the family criticised being 'dragged' through the courts.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A brain bleed visible on a CT scan at University Hospital Limerick was missed when read remotely by an outsourced radiology company in the early hours.
  • The radiologist received the scan after 2am and reported back at 2.30am.
  • An ambulance booked at 11.30am did not arrive until 3.30pm for transfer to a Cork hospital.
  • O'Connor was treated in an intensive care unit after the transfer to Cork.
Where
PJ O'Connor, a 71-year-old farmer from Capparoe, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was admitted to University Hospital Limerick.
When
O'Connor was admitted on 27 November 2021 and died nine days later on 6 December 2021.
Charges
  • The HSE admitted a breach of duty in February 2026 in the failure of its radiology services to detect the brain bleed and in providing contraindicated treatment.
  • The HSE further admitted a breach in the provision of timely onward ambulance transportation and delay in providing appropriate reversal treatment, accepting this caused his wrongful and untimely death.
In court
The O'Connor family settled their High Court action, reported in June 2026.
Other details
  • The HSE apology letter was signed by Ian Carter, chief executive of Acute and Older People Services HSE Mid West.
  • The family criticised being 'dragged' through the courts outside the Four Courts.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe HSE admitted breach of duty in failing to detect the brain bleed and in providing contraindicated treatment (irishtimes.com)
  • wherePJ O'Connor was a farmer from Capparoe, Nenagh, Co Tipperary (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe radiologist received the scan after 2am and reported back at 2.30am (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAn ambulance booked at 11.30am did not arrive until 3.30pm for transfer to a Cork hospital (irishtimes.com)
  • whenO'Connor died nine days after admission on 6 December 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe HSE apology letter was signed by Ian Carter, chief executive of Acute and Older People Services HSE Mid West (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jun2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Family of man (71) who died after brain bleed missed criticise being ‘dragged’ through courts

    Reports the settlement of the O'Connor family's High Court action, details of the missed diagnosis, the HSE's admission of breach, and the family's comments outside the Four Courts.

    victim, 71, male, irish (judged from name)victim, female, irish (judged from name)victim, male, irish (judged from name)victim, Katerine Kirby, female, irish (judged from name)Katerine Kirby