Mother given wrong newborn baby at Cork University Hospital settles High Court action
Catherine Shine, a 39-year-old woman from Mallow, Co Cork, was handed the wrong newborn baby at Cork University Hospital in September 2021 after her daughter Hannah Kate had been cared for overnight in the hospital nursery. Ms Shine noticed the baby appeared different and began to vomit, and the mix-up was corrected after a short time. She brought a High Court negligence action against the Health Service Executive, alleging a failure to take reasonable care and to have adequate checks to prevent a baby mix-up. On 14 May 2025, the High Court heard that the action had been settled, with the HSE admitting liability and agreeing to send a formal apology, while the settlement details remain confidential.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A mother was handed the wrong newborn baby at Cork University Hospital after her daughter had been cared for overnight in the hospital nursery.
- Ms Shine noticed the baby appeared different, cried and began to vomit, and the mix-up was corrected after a short time.
- Hannah Kate was born by emergency Caesarean section on 8 September 2021.
- Where
- The incident took place at Cork University Hospital.
- When
- The incident occurred in September 2021.
- Cause
- It was alleged there was a failure to take reasonable care and to have adequate checks and balances to prevent a baby mix-up, including a failure to check babies in the nursery for correct identity before returning them to their mothers.
- Charges
- Ms Shine sued the Health Service Executive in the High Court for negligence.
- In court
- On 14 May 2025, the High Court heard that the action had been settled, with the HSE admitting liability.
- A formal apology will be sent to Ms Shine and her family, and the settlement details are confidential.
- Other details
- Ms Shine's counsel was Richard Kean SC, instructed by PBN Litigation, and her solicitor was Piarais Neary.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe baby had been cared for overnight in the hospital nursery before the mix-up. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Shine noticed the baby appeared different, cried and began to vomit. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe baby was only with the mother for a short time before the mix-up was noticed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was claimed there was a failure to take reasonable care for the safety of the mother and baby. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was claimed there was a failure to have adequate checks and balances to prevent a baby mix-up. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was alleged there was a failure to check babies in the nursery for correct identity before returning them to their mothers. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHannah Kate was born by emergency Caesarean section on 8 September 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at Cork University Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court heard on 14 May 2025 that the action had been settled. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLiability was admitted by the HSE in the case. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA formal apology will be sent to Ms Shine and her family. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe details of the settlement are confidential. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Emily Egan congratulated the parties on resolving the matter. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Shine's counsel was Richard Kean SC, instructed by PBN Litigation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Shine's solicitor was Piarais Neary. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 May2025Mother who was given wrong newborn baby at Cork hospital settles High Court action
Reports the settlement of the High Court action, with the HSE admitting liability and agreeing to a formal apology. Details of the settlement are confidential.
victim, Catherine Shine, 39, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Shinevictim, Hannah Kate, female, irish (judged from name)Hannah Kate