€385k following death of Leitrim teacher

The High Court has approved a settlement of €385,000 in the case of a Co Leitrim man who died after a routine post-operative procedure at the Blackrock Clinic went wrong.

An action by the man’s family against a consultant and the clinic was struck out with no liability admitted.

However, the case against a surgical registrar was settled.

Art Ridge, aged 65, a teacher from Mohill, Co Leitrim, died after his heart was accidentally pierced during the insertion of a chest drain in December 2005.

The procedure was carried out by surgical registrar Ramy Alnahhal five days after Mr Ridge had undergone successful surgery to replace a valve in his heart.

After today’s settlement Mr Ridge’s family said an insurance company had subjected them to a ‘full fight’ in the case until recent months.

This had added to their stress and emotion after the death of Mr Ridge, they said.