News

Boy (8) settles case against National Maternity Hospital for €10m

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2022

An eight-year-old boy with autism who sued over the circumstances of his birth at the National Maternity Hospital has settled his High Court action for €10 million.

Aston Shiels Flynn, the High Court heard, is on the highest scale of the autism spectrum, has limited speech and has developmental delay.

The settlement marks the end of an eight-year battle for Aston’s family and came about after prolonged negotiations, the High Court heard.

The case, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told, is the second only such case before the courts where it was sought to establish an alleged link between autism and alleged hypoxic events at delivery.

Aston’s mother, Michelle Shiels, told the court she was relieved at the settlement. “We can go on into the future now and try out best for our son,” she said.

Aston’s counsel, Richard Kean SC with Esther Earley BL, told the court the settlement represents 50 per cent of the full value of the case. He said liability and causation were fully contested by the hospital.

Counsel said it was a very distressing and difficult case for the family and they were overwhelmed and relieved that a settlement had been reached. He said Aston’s parents, Michelle Shiels and Damien Flynn from Gorey, Co Wexford, feel it will have a huge impact for their son.

He added it was their case that Aston should have been delivered four days earlier, and that the neo natal care was allegedly mis managed.
Alleged failures

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Aston Shiels Flynn, from Gorey, Co Wexford, had through his mother, Michelle Shiels sued the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, over the circumstances of his birth on March 7th, 2014.

It was claimed there was an alleged failure to properly diagnose, treat and care for the baby and his mother.

It was also claimed there was an alleged failure to attach any or any due significance to CTG tracing of the baby’s heartbeat in the days before the delivery, which is alleged was non-reassuring, and the mother had been discharged home to await spontaneous labour when it was allegedly unsafe and unreasonable to do so.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to expedite delivery when the mother returned to the hospital on March 7th.

Aston it was claimed allegedly suffered acute hypoxia prior to and at his delivery.

There was also it was claimed an alleged delay in diagnosing that the baby had hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia and there was an alleged failure to conduct all necessary investigations and seek specialist opinion within three hours of his admission to the neonatal unit.

The claims were denied.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very sad and tragic case and the accepted there were significant litigation risks in the case.
Fair and reasonable

The judge said the €10 million offered was a fair and reasonable settlement. He told Aston’s parents he was delighted they had reached a settlement and said he was sure it had been a great burden for them for a very long time.

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He wished the little boy and his parents all the best for the future.

Outside court the family solicitor Georgina Robinson said the settlement marked the end of an eight-year battle for Aston’s parents.

She said the settlement will secure Aston’s future and provide peace of mind to Michelle and Damien that Aston will be cared for, for the rest of his life.

“Today, Aston is a happy 8-year-old boy who despite his condition lives his life in the company of his loving family. Outside of this Aston does not speak, he does not understand simple instructions and cannot express his feelings,” she said.

She added: “Michelle and Damien have learned to manage Aston’s condition as best they can. Their own lives have been hugely affected. During this prolonged court process, they have been forced to relive the circumstances of Aston’s birth over and over again.

“Throughout this process they have only ever sought a fair settlement for Aston which will provide for his future and for specialist treatment which may help him become more independent. Therapy is key to Aston living his best life and today’s settlement will ensure that Aston receives the best treatment possible.”

Related Topics:Aston Shiels Flynn Aston’s counsel Esther Earley BL Michelle Shiels Richard Kean SC

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Crime

Yahaya Bello honours EFCC invitation after consulting family

Published

8 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Seun Okerayi

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honoured the EFCC’s invitation after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies. The EFCC declared him wanted over allegations of fraud during his time in office.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after careful consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.

The EFCC had earlier declared him wanted over allegations of fraud and corrupt enrichment during his tenure in office.

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In a statement released by his media office on Wednesday, Yahaya Bello explained his decision to engage with the EFCC, citing his respect for the rule of law.

He emphasised that his legal team had been representing him in court to ensure due process in all proceedings related to the case.

Bello highlighted his commitment to clearing his name, stating that he has nothing to hide and fully supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria.

He also noted that during his governorship, he was the first to introduce an anti-corruption mechanism in Kogi State, aimed at preventing graft and ensuring state resources were used for the benefit of the people.

Accompanied by high-profile Nigerians, Bello urged the EFCC to act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen. Further details of his meeting with the EFCC are expected to be shared in due course.

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Religion

IK Ogbonna condemns fake miracles by Nigerian pastors

Published

10 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Seun Okerayi

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has condemned fake miracles by Nigerian pastors, warning that their deceptive practices harm Christianity and manipulate believers for personal gain.

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has raised concerns over the increasing number of Nigerian pastors performing fake miracles. In an Instagram post, he described these actions as a serious betrayal of the true essence of Christianity.

He highlighted how the deception not only damages the church’s reputation but also manipulates vulnerable believers, exploiting their faith for personal profit.

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Ogbonna emphasised that such fraudulent acts have severe consequences, including broken trust, shattered lives, and distorted faith.

He called on pastors engaged in these practices to reflect on their actions, urging them to stop using God’s name for falsehood, which he termed a direct betrayal of the gospel.

He also called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to implement stricter regulations and accountability for those posing as pastors.

According to Ogbonna, Christianity should remain rooted in truth, love, and humility, not be used for manipulation or financial gain.

He urged Christians to remember that true miracles cannot arise from deception and urged believers to protect the integrity of their faith.

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Education

Lagos state government announces increase in boarding fees for model colleges

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Seun Okerayi

The Lagos State Government has increased boarding fees in model colleges to N100,000 per term, citing improved student welfare as the reason.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced an increase in boarding fees for its model colleges, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to a statement released by Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the adjustment is necessary to improve the welfare of students in public boarding schools across the state.

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Lawal explained that the N35,000 fee, which has been in place since 2021, is no longer sustainable due to rising costs.

The newly approved fee of N100,000 will be implemented from the resumption of the 2024/2025 session in September 2024.

The Ministry recognises that the decision has faced criticism from some parents but emphasised the importance of ensuring students’ welfare, including proper nutrition and other essential services such as energy costs for cooking.

The fees, paid every term, are allocated for feeding, janitorial services, and other costs necessary for maintaining the hostels.

Lawal highlighted the numerous benefits students in Lagos model colleges receive, including free tuition, education infrastructure, technology support, and payment of terminal examination fees, such as WAEC.

He added that the state government remains considerate with the increase when compared to similar institutions across Nigeria.

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The Ministry urged parents to understand the rationale behind the increase and to cooperate for the benefit of the children.