Survivors of symphysiotomy 'devastated' as High Court finds against 76-yr-old
A 76-year-old woman has lost a High Court damages action arising from a symphysiotomy procedure at a Dublin hospital more than 50 years ago.
The woman claimed that the procedure, which took place 12 days before she gave birth, was unnecessary and left her with lifelong pain and incontinence.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross has found that while symphysiotomy was a controversial practice, the woman failed to establish that there was "no justification whatsoever" for its performance in the 1960s.
From outside the court, Marie O'Connor of Survivors of Symphysiotomy said: "This is a devastating outcome for survivors of symphysiotomy everywhere in Ireland.
"These are women who have sustained lifelong injuries as a result of an abusive procedure that has never been investigated by the State."
