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Family handout photo of Dhara and Michael Kivlehan. Family handout
Sligo General

Lack of witnesses called to Kivlehan inquest "unacceptable"

Association for the Improvement in the Maternity Services has said that more witnesses should be compelled to appear before the inquiry.

THERE HAS BEEN calls for more witnesses to be called before the inquiry into the death of Dhara Kivlehan.

The 28-year-old passed away after giving birth at Sligo General Hospital in September 2010.

She died from organ failure at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, after being airlifted from Sligo.

She had been diagnosed her as suffering a severe variant of pre-eclampsia called Hellp (Haemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets).

The Association for the Improvement in the Maternity Services (AIMS) Ireland said today that it fully supports criticisms expressed by the deceased husband’s, Michael Kivlehan.

It is reported that he had critised coroner’s refusal to add several names to the list of witnesses.

The widower then alleged there had been a “cover-up”.

AIMS has branded as “unacceptable” that only two of the 19 members of staff involved in the incident are on the witness list.

“The inquest was relocated at the request of the Irish Attorney General so that the 24 witnesses recommended by Belfast coroner Dr John Leckey could be legally compelled to attend,” co-chair Jene Kelly said.

Why now are only a quarter of that number being considered to give evidence by Leitrim coroner Eamon McGowan?

Read: ‘Heartbroken’ family of Dhara Kivlehan call for inquest >

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