Inquest hears nurse raised concerns about low oxygen flow during resuscitation of baby Aaron Cullen
Baby Aaron Cullen was born by emergency Caesarean section at 35 weeks gestation on 4 May 2016 at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, County Laois, and died five days later from severe persistent pulmonary hypertension. At a fresh inquest heard at Dublin District Coroner's Court in July 2025, nurse Elaine Sheehy testified that she was extremely concerned after finding the oxygen flow through respiratory equipment was at a low level for the first 11 minutes of the baby's life. The original inquest had returned a narrative verdict, but the baby's mother Claire Cullen secured evidence through Freedom of Information requests, prompting the fresh inquiry. Expert witness Prof Colm O'Donnell told the court that sooner intubation or a proper-fitting mask would not have changed the outcome. A verdict is due to be returned on Thursday, 7 July 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court2 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Baby Aaron Cullen was born by emergency Caesarean section on 4 May 2016 at 35 weeks gestation at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, County Laois.
- The baby suffered from severe persistent pulmonary hypertension and died five days after birth.
- During resuscitation, two attempts to intubate the baby by a paediatric registrar were unsuccessful, and a Neopuff resuscitator was used between attempts.
- The mask used to ventilate the baby was too large as it was for full-term babies, and was switched to a preterm mask to ensure an airtight seal.
- Nurse Elaine Sheehy raised concerns that the oxygen flow through respiratory equipment was at a low level for the first 11 minutes of the baby's life.
- Intubation was not achieved until 21 minutes after birth, at which point the baby's heart rate increased from less than 60bpm to over 100bpm.
- Expert witness Prof Colm O'Donnell did not believe sooner intubation or a proper-fitting mask would have changed the outcome.
- The original inquest returned a narrative verdict, and the fresh inquiry was prompted by the baby's mother Claire Cullen securing evidence through Freedom of Information requests.
- Nurse Elaine Sheehy resigned from Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in October 2016.
- In court
- A fresh inquest was heard at Dublin District Coroner's Court in July 2025, with a verdict due on Thursday.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMs Sheehy resigned from Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in October 2016 (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Sheehy was on duty at the Special Care Baby Unit when asked to attend resuscitation (irishtimes.com)
- whatAaron was born by emergency Caesarean section on 4 May 2016 at 35 weeks gestation (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe baby suffered from severe persistent pulmonary hypertension (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo attempts to intubate the baby by a paediatric registrar were unsuccessful (irishtimes.com)
- whatA Neopuff resuscitator was used between intubation attempts to pump the baby's lungs (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe mask used to ventilate the baby was too large as it was for full-term babies (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe mask was switched to a preterm mask to ensure an airtight seal (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe baby's heart rate increased from less than 60bpm to over 100bpm (irishtimes.com)
- whatIntubation was not achieved until 21 minutes after birth (irishtimes.com)
- whatProf O'Donnell did not believe sooner intubation or a proper fitting mask would have changed the outcome (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe evidence was secured by the baby's mother Claire Cullen through Freedom of Information requests, prompting a fresh inquiry (irishtimes.com)
- courtAn inquest verdict is due to be returned on Thursday (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Jul2025Court hears nurse raised concerns that flow of oxygen at low level for first 11 minutes of baby’s life
Reports on evidence at the fresh inquest, including nurse Elaine Sheehy's testimony about the oxygen flow being at a low level and expert witness Prof Colm O'Donnell's opinion on the resuscitation. The original inquest had returned a narrative verdict; the fresh inquiry was prompted by the mother securing evidence via Freedom of Information requests.
victim, Aaron Cullen, male, irish (judged from name)Aaron Cullen