The hospital’s director of nursing, Ann Flynn, issued an apology to O’Connor’s family at an inquest into his death at Dublin District Coroner’s Court on Wednesday and expressed “sincere regret” for the incident which had resulted in his death.

The inquest into the death of Niamh McNally, Ardykeohane, Bruff, Co Limerick, on January 29th, 2024, heard there were “so many missed opportunities” in her care at UHL.

The coroner was told there was “an urgent, acute event” after a sudden drop in the foetal heartbeat at 11.45 pm.

The deceased’s mother, Susan Doyle, told the hearing that her daughter had enjoyed good health and had no history of ever suffering panic attacks.

Nuala Smyth (66) from Terenure was reported missing to gardaí by her family on January 3rd 2023.