Coroner's 'medical misadventure' verdict in 15-yr-old's asthma death

CHILDREN’S Health Ireland have issued a “sincere apology" for shortcomings in the care of a teenager with severe asthma who died following an attack while waiting over four years to see a specialist consultant.

- BY SEAN McCARTHAIGH

Killian Burnett, 15, from Finglas, passed away at Connolly Hospital Blan-chardstown in Dublin on March 22, 2022.

His inquest heard he had four cancelled appointments between his first referral to see a consultant in respiratory medicine in December 2017 and his death.

Several members of the deceased's extended family burst into tears after the coroner, Clare Keane, returned a verdict of death due to medical misadventure at an inquest into the boy's death at Dublin District Coroner's Court yesterday.

Dr Keane noted there had been “missed opportunities” to treat his “unstable, severe asthma”.