Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Late on Friday evening I was contacted by Mr. Damien Carrick. He wanted to talk to me about the terrible experience of his wife, Patricia, and his family. I want to share it with the House.

In 1994, almost 30 years ago, Patricia and Damien Carrick were married. They started a life together in Galway, where over the following years they had four children. They made a home for those children that was filled with music and filled with love. They lived a quiet life focused on their family and their community. Their first three children were getting on well with their lives and they were focused on making sure their youngest, Eoin, who has special needs, was comfortable. They were happy and were looking forward to life. Then on 29 July 2019, Trish took a call at work telling her it was likely she had cancer. A formal diagnosis, radiation treatment and chemotherapy followed, but two months ago, in September 2020, Trish and Damien were told that the cancer was terminal.

It did not have to be this way. In May 2016, Trish went for her scheduled smear test, a health procedure that she always took very seriously and never missed. If there had been an accurate reading of this sample, Trish's cancer would have been identified in good time. The appropriate treatment would have been given and the chances are that she and Damien would now be reflecting on a worrying time in their lives with the illness well behind them. However, there was not an accurate reading. Instead, the HSE and MedLab Pathology have now acknowledged that the sample of 31 May 2016 was read in a manner that was negligent and in breach of duty. The cancer was missed, it spread and it is now terminal.

While Trish was not able to travel to court to hear it, the HSE and MedLab Pathology have apologised to the Carrick family for what they have been put through. They have subsequently repeated that apology in writing. The National Screening Service has also apologised. Our President, Michael D. Higgins, has spoken to both the Carrick family and Trish's family, the O'Sullivans, in recent days. The President knew both families personally in Galway and he offered his sympathy for what they have gone through.

Last Friday I spoke to Damien by phone and apologised.

On that call, he said that Trish and he and their family would appreciate it if I would apologise in public and on the record of this House. I have absolutely no hesitation in doing so.

Trish is going through a very challenging time in her illness at the moment. Damien told me that he wanted to be with her today to listen in to the Dáil. I hope they have been able to manage to do so. I hope they are together now, listening when I say that on behalf of the Government and the nation I offer my genuine and heartfelt apologies to Trish, Damien, their son Ciaran, their daughters Rioghna and Sorcha, and to Eoin. They have been failed.

Last month, Damien publicly shared his family's terrible experience. Speaking to a journalist, he stated, "It's been awful, such a rotten hand we've been dealt." That is the truth. Trish was badly let down and their family is going through the very worst of times because of the mistakes of others. In spite of this, Trish and Damien have carried themselves with great dignity. Nothing that I say or anyone else says can change the situation they find themselves in, but I hope the genuine and heartfelt apology I offer today will bring them and their family some small measure of solace. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Members of the House for facilitating this statement.

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