Lengthy inquests expected into Covid related Mayo hospital deaths

Bereaved families have raised serious questions

Preparations are continuing for the hearing of two Covid-19 related deaths at Mayo University Hospital (MUH) – that of Sally Maaz and John Carolan.

Each hearing, involving between 15 and 20 witnesses, is expected to be lengthy, perhaps lasting up to two or three days.

Ms. Maaz (17), a Leaving Certificate student at Ballyhaunis Community School, died at MUH on April 24, 2020.

Her family have posed questions about the circumstances of her death.

They claim that Sally, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was admitted to the hospital’s Covid ward ten days before she died although she had tested negative for coronavirus.

The second Covid related inquest relates to the death of John Carolan (79) from Bellacorick, Ballina.

His family claim he contracted Covid at MUH while being treated on the same ward as virus patients.

Mr. Carolan was initially being treated for a stroke. He died on April 1, 2020

At one of the recent preliminary hearing, Coroner O’Connor said one of the purposes of holding the inquests was to allay public concern and unease about the Covid situation.

Mr. O’Connor told The Connaught Telegraph yesterday (Monday) that ultimately the decision as to the conduct of the inquests and what witnesses are required is a matter for him.

“Both hearings may take place contemporaneously, in or around the same time,” he explained, “The facts in each case are fairly common to both.”