DESMOND J DOHERTY

Recent Case Developments

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Hyponatraemia Report published 31 January 2018

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Read BBC News Hyponatraemia Inquiry: Children's hospital deaths were avoidable

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An inquiry into the deaths of five children in Northern Ireland's hospitals has found that four of them were avoidable.  Hyponatraemia is a medical condition that occurs when there is a shortage of sodium in the bloodstream.  The damning report was heavily critical of the "self-regulating and unmonitored" health service. 

 

Mr Justice O'Hara was scathing of how the families were treated in the aftermath of the deaths and also of the evidence given to the inquiry by medical professionals.  He said that "doctors and managers cannot be relied on to do the right thing at the right time" and that they had to put the public interest before their own reputation.  He also said that some witnesses to the inquiry "had to have the truth dragged out of them".

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Listen to BBC Radio Foyle statement 31 January 2018 'A complete and orchestrated cover-up of the truth'

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In depth interview BBC Radio Foyle The Breakfast Show 31 January 2018 (1:06:00)

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Listen to Highland Radio interview 'Raychel's Law Duty of Candour'

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Call for a new law imposing a legal duty on doctors and other health professionals to admit mistakes.

It follows the inquiry into the hyponatraemia related deaths of five children in Northern Ireland’s hospitals, which found that four of them were avoidable, including that of 9-year-old Derry schoolgirl, Raychel Ferguson, who died at Altnagelvin Hospital in 2001 after what was supposedly a routine appendix operation.  It’s now been determined she died after being administered with a lethal dose of intravenous fluids.

The inquiry report found there was a “reluctance among clinicians to openly acknowledge failings.

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Read first rate analysis from The Detail

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Listen to Highland Radio interview 3 October 2017 for update on Danielle Mc Laughlin case 

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Read update on Danielle Mc Laughlin from BBC News 4 October 2017

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It’s emerged that the trial of the man accused of murdering Buncrana woman Danielle Mc Laughlin in Goa, India is expected to be fast tracked.

In a statement issued on behalf of her family this afternoon, the Justice for Danielle campaign says charge documents have been received by their legal team in Derry.

 

They also say a Post Mortem examination carried out in Dublin confirms the findings of the original examination in India.

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Read update on Daniel Hegarty from Irish News 26 September 2017

 

Self-defence claims raised by a soldier who shot an innocent teenager at point-blank range in Derry 45 years ago have been stripped of all credibility, the High Court heard today.

 

 

Leave granted by Belfast High Court in Daniel Hegarty Judicial Review Case

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Family of teen killed by soldier allowed to challenge decision not to prosecute.  

 

Relatives of a teenager killed by the Army in Londonderry 45 years ago have won legal permission to challenge a decision not prosecute the soldier who fired the fatal shots.

 

High Court judges granted leave to seek a judicial review of the conclusion reached over the death of Daniel Hegarty.

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Press Release Arlene Arkinson Inquest 22 June 2017

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Arkinson family call on Garda Chief to intervene in case.

 

 

Read update on Arlene Arkinson Inquest from BBC News 22 June 2017

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The family of Arlene Arkinson have said they are "appalled" at the lack of assistance from Irish authorities as they try to find out what happened to the teenager.

 

Fifteen-year-old Arlene, from Castlederg in County Tyrone, vanished after a night out in 1994.

 

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Read update on Daniel Hegarty Judicial Review from Irish News 16 June 2017

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A decision not to prosecute the soldier who shot dead a teenager at point-blank range in Derry 45 years ago was perverse and irrational, the High Court heard today.

 

A leading barrister representing relatives of Daniel Hegarty argued that expert evidence completely refutes claims the bullets were fired in self-defence.

Michael Mansfield QC said: "The scientists have sealed the case for the family that this was an unlawful killing."

 

Fifteen-year-old Daniel was unarmed when he was shot twice in the head during an army operation in the Creggan area of the city in July 1972.

 

 

Listen to Highland Radio interview 12 June 2017 for update on Danielle Mc Laughlin case 

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The solicitor for the family of Buncrana woman Danielle Mc Laughlin, who was murdered in India, says they are content with the speed of the investigation.

 

A charge sheet has been filed against 24 year old Vikat Bhagat who accused of murdering Danielle in March.

He is also accused of rape, robbery and destruction of evidence. The court document also shows evidence that 28 year old Danielle struggled with her attacker.

 

The McLaughlin Family lawyer, Des Doherty, says things are moving as he expects.

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