Ms Bird said there had been a serious falling short of the standards of care expected of doctors by Dr Lal. The surgeon admitted that his delay in seeking assistance from a vascular surgeon after Ms Sheedy suffered major haemorrhaging from a damaged aorta during the operation constituted professional misconduct. They claimed both Dr Lal and UHL had shown disregard for their daughter after they had trusted the consultant. Dr Lal, who qualified as a doctor in New Zealand in 2000, has been registered to work in Ireland since 2011. Simon Mills, for Dr Lal, told the inquiry chairperson, Marie Culliton, that Dr Lal had wished to offer an unqualified apology at the hearing for the shortcomings in his care.

Source: Irish Examiner January 19, 2026 17:33 UTC