Martina Burke

2022 - 4 - 12

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Irish Times"

Burke family members removed from court at end of Sally Maaz ... (The Irish Times)

An inquest into the death of Sally Maaz, the 17-year-old Co. Mayo student who died while an inpatient at Mayo University Hospital two years ago, ...

Finally, the coroner urged that the protocols in the hospital for liaising with members of a patient’s family be reviewed and updated. In his submission, Mr Verbruggen said that a verdict of death from natural causes would “fail to account for the considerable and important evidence of the circumstances and the risks that arose in Sally’s care, exposing her to the virus that killed her”. Mr Verbruggen said the family had concerns that this would be recorded as a verdict of death from natural causes given all the evidence that had previously been heard. After the Coroner for Mayo Pat O’Connor returned a verdict of death from natural causes, Burke family members heckled him, claiming the proceedings were “a disgrace” and that the Maaz family had been “deceived” by gardaí. Closing legal submissions in the inquest hearing on behalf of the hospital and the HSE and the Maaz family had been heard last month. Martina Burke, along with a son, Josiah, and a daughter, Jemima, shouted from the body of Swinford Courthouse after the Coroner for Mayo returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

Grieving family of teenager Sally Maaz given garda escort from ... (Independent.ie)

The grieving family of teenager Sally Maaz had to be escorted by gardaí out of a side entrance at the conclusion of her inquest after protesters disrupted ...

"This inquest allowed the family to ask questions that had kept them awake at night for two years. Around 6,500 people to date in this country (have died)." It is the greatest single pandemic the world has ever seen. Mr Verbruggen said a verdict of death from natural causes would "fail to account for the considerable and important evidence of the circumstances and the risks that arose in Sally's care, exposing her to the virus that killed her". Mr Verbruggen was singled out for praise by the coroner for his "learned" and "erudite" submissions on behalf of the Maaz family. Following two days of evidence and lengthy submissions by legal counsel for both the hospital and the Maaz family, Mr O'Connor came to a verdict of death from natural causes.

Coroner calls for State review of Covid response after death of 17 ... (Irish Examiner)

Inquest into death of student, 17, records verdict of death by natural causes.

Jemima Burke continued to shout at gardaí as she was being ejected from the courtroom. She was admitted to MUH on April 14, 2020, suffering from shortness of breath and severe lower back pain. The inquest heard that shortly after her birth in Syria in 2002, Ms Maaz was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and underwent a number of surgeries and procedures during her life.

Verdict of death from natural causes returned at Mayo student Sally ... (Connaught Telegraph)

An inquest into the death of Sally Maaz, the 17-year-old Ballyhaunis student who passed away while an inpatient at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) two years ...

In his submission, Mr. Verbruggen said that a verdict of death from natural causes would “fail to account for the considerable and important evidence of the circumstances and the risks that arose in Sally’s care, exposing her to the virus that killed her”. Mr. Verbruggen said the family had concerns that this would be recorded as a verdict of death from natural causes given all the evidence that had previously been heard. Closing legal submissions in the inquest hearing on behalf of Mayo University Hospital (MUH) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Maaz family were heard last month. Mr. O’Connor recommended that MUH, in consultation with Saolta and the HSE, put in place, if not already in place, clear lines of responsibility for the care of patients by all clinical staff. After the Coroner for Mayo, Pat O’Connor, returned a verdict of death from natural causes, Burke family members heckled the coroner claiming the proceedings were “a disgrace” and that the Maaz family had been “deceived” by gardai. The coroner also recommended that appropriate communication and notification in writing take place between medical clinicians on the handover of care by them to others of any patient in MUH.

Coroner for Mayo today returned a verdict of death from natural ... (Midwest Radio)

An inquest into the death of Sally Maaz, the 17-year-old Co. Mayo student who passed away while an inpatient at Mayo University Hospital two years ago, ...

When the Burkes loudly persisted with their complaints and condemnation, they were removed one by one from the hearing. After the Coroner for Mayo, Pat O’Connor returned a verdict of death from natural causes, Burke family members heckled the coroner claiming the proceedings were “a disgrace” and that the Maaz family had been “deceived” by gardai. Martina Burke, along with a son, Josiah, and a daughter, Jemima, loudly shouted questions and comments from the body of Swinford Courthouse after the Coroner for Mayo returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

Burke family members cleared of court at the end of Sally Maze ... (The Miracle Tech)

The investigation into the death of 17-year-old Company Mayo student Sally Maze, who died as an inpatient at Mayo University Hospital two years ago, ...