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. 2209Medical negligence (civil personal injury) · Co. Kerry · 10 Apr 2018

High Court apology for deficiencies in care to pensioner who died at Kerry hospital

University Hospital Kerry apologised in the High Court for deficiencies in the standard of care provided to 74-year-old Helen Fitzgerald, who died at the hospital in June 2018 after developing an infection and kidney failure. The family's civil claim, brought by her daughters on behalf of the family, has settled with a €35,000 statutory mental distress payment.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHelen Fitzgerald was a 74-year-old woman from Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe was later found to have an infection and kidney failure. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOn 18 April 2018, she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and prescribed antibiotics. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFive days later she was given IV fluids and prescribed more antibiotics. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBlood tests indicated an infection and she was placed in isolation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBlood tests at the end of May showed kidney failure. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOn 2 June she was transferred to the emergency department, received IV fluids, but later died. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe case alleged she was provided with substandard care and there was a failure to transfer her to an intensive care unit. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenShe developed stomach pain on 10 April 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenShe died in hospital on 2 June 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA High Court claim was brought by her daughter on behalf of her family alleging failure to treat her conditions in a timely manner. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case has settled. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA letter of apology from UHK general manager Mary Fitzgerald was read to the court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe hospital acknowledged and apologised unreservedly for the deficiencies in care and the distress caused. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Paul Coffey extended sympathies to the Fitzgerald family. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe €35,000 statutory mental distress payment was to be divided among the family. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    High Court apology for ‘deficiencies’ in care to pensioner who died at Kerry hospital

    Reports the settlement of the High Court claim and the hospital's formal apology, including details of the alleged substandard care and the division of the statutory mental distress payment.

    victim, Helen Fitzgerald, 74, female, irish (judged from name)Helen Fitzgeraldvictim, Maria Byrne, female, irish (judged from name)Maria Byrnevictim, Alison Fitzgerald, female, irish (judged from name)Alison Fitzgerald