Two-year-old settles over €1 million after missed prenatal heart defect
A High Court hearing approved an interim settlement of more than €1 million for Ollie Roche, a two-year-old whose congenital heart disease was not detected in a prenatal ultrasound.
Ollie Roche, a two-year-old from Gorey, Co Wexford, received an interim settlement exceeding €1 million after a High Court action against the Health Service Executive. The lawsuit claims a June 2023 ultrasound at Wexford General Hospital failed to detect his complex congenital heart disease, which was only identified when he was six weeks old at a Dublin hospital. His parents, Leonie Kinch and Sean Roche, were told surgery was no longer possible and palliative care was advised.
Counsel Oonah McCrann, representing the family, highlighted Ollie's remarkable survival beyond medical expectations. The HSE acknowledged the prenatal scan was incomplete and below the standard of care, contributing to delayed diagnosis. The court set a future hearing for 2029 to resolve the case fully. Justice Leonie Reynolds expressed hope for Ollie's continued health.
Why it matters
The settlement underscores the importance of accurate prenatal screening and accountability in public healthcare.
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