Family of pregnant Clare woman who died in Limerick hospital are 'haunted'

The death of a 33-year-old pregnant woman due to possible sepsis, combined with cardiac issues and a miscarriage, is “haunting the family.” 

Limerick Coroner’s Court in Kilmallock heard that Leona Cusack (nee Kirwan) of Ballycasey, Shannon, died on February 18, 2024, having presented at University Maternity Hospital Limerick, three days earlier. 

She came to the hospital very early in the morning on February 15, 2024, with bleeding, chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea and she appeared to be quite anxious. 

Ms Cusack was determined to be five weeks and one day pregnant when she first presented, but an OBGYN doctor could not see a sac or any fluid in the pelvis. 

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A blood test was taken to establish base levels of Beta-HCG, which would indicate if the pregnancy was viable, in the womb and not ectopic. 

OBGYN Dr Suhaib Akhtar Birmani told the inquest that he advised Ms Cusack to stay in the hospital, as he felt that being admitted would calm her down, give her reassurance, and she would be in the hospital for the repeat Beta-HCG the next morning, which would establish levels. 

However, in a deposition from Ms Cusack’s husband Conor, read out by Limerick coroner John McNamara, Mr Cusack stated that they were happy to go home and had heard through the door, in the room where they were for a scan, that there were no beds. 

In questioning from Damien Tansey SC, representing the family of Ms Cusack, Dr Birmani said that a bed would have become available, but that he was not made aware that she had left the hospital, until after the fact, when she presented at the maternity hospital, again a day later, with worsened symptoms.  

Mr Tansey told the inquest that there were “clear indicators of sepsis and cardiac issues, but when she went to University Hospital Limerick, the sepsis was forgotten about".

“This is what led to her death, but she was not treated properly.” 

The inquest continues at Limerick Coroner’s Court at Kilmallock this Wednesday afternoon.