Coroner delivers verdict at McGinty inquest

Inquiry concludes at Swinford Courthouse, Co Mayo

The legal team for the family of a boy who died post Pfizer vaccine sought a verdict of medical misadventure at his inquest. Mayo Coroner Pat O’Connor noted the family’s representatives had made additional comments on submissions from the HSE but these were ruled ‘unacceptable.’

Returning an open verdict in relation to the death of Joseph McGinty (14), Achill Island, Co Mayo, the Coroner issued three recommendations arising from evidence heard at the inquest.

The Coroner disallowed a statement from the McGinty family that their solicitor requested to read out in court and said he was extremely disappointed and upset by the arrival of a submission late last Friday night.

“I received a letter at 9.31pm last Friday from Lavelle Bourke on behalf of the family. I had completed my work and my decision on this case on Wednesday last, August 16,” Mr O’Connor said.

The Coroner outlined that he had asked for all submissions on the verdict and recommendations in this case be submitted no later than August 11.

The Coroner said he had indicated that no late submissions ‘under any circumstances’ would be acceptable.

“I was extremely upset and disappointed that at 9.31pm last Friday evening I should receive correspondence seeking to make submissions. It is not appropriate and proper regarding what I am trying to do,” the Coroner said.

Mr O’Connor noted that one of legal teams had sent him a copy of an email from ‘a journalist.’

“I think that was outrageous and wrong and contrary to what I have to decide,” the Coroner said. Mr O'Connor said it amounted to an attempt to undermine the ‘hard, clear evidence of respected doctors working in this country.’

“As a Coroner the only evidence I can deal with is the evidence before me,” he said.

The Coroner further opined that it is ‘wrong for anyone to use the McGinty family to stoke conspirational fears.’

“It is upsetting for you (the family) for the public and it is disingenuous in the extreme,” Mr O’Connor said.

Solicitor for the family, Ms Rita Kilroy addressed the issue of the late arrival of the submission and said she stood over its contents.

Mr O’Connor replied that he has extensive experience in his role as a coroner for 34 years and he did not authorise that there be any response to submissions made in relation to this case.

“It is my decision and anything that is presented to the court is to assist me in my decision,” he said.

The Coroner described an attempt to introduce new information on the last day of evidence (Thurs July 20) as ‘disingenuous in the extreme.’

“I was told it came from the internet. That was wrong,” he said.

The Coroner ruled out any connection between Joseph’s Pfizer covid vaccine and his death.

The teen received his first covid shot at the Breaffy Vaccination Centre on August 20 2021. He collapsed and died on September 13 2021. He was due to receive his second shot the following day, September 14.

The inquest heard from a total of 18 witnesses including Dr Gillian Ellsbury, Pfizer’s Vaccines Director, who testified by video link. The inquest heard evidence from three state bodies in the form of statements read into evidence from the Chief Medical Officer (Dept of Health), the HPRA and NIAC.

The Coroner noted that the evidence furnished to him in reports and statements amounted to some 3,500 pages.

The medical cause of death recorded was profound adrenal pathology consistent with Addison's Disease in line with the second opinion offered at autopsy by Consultant Pathologist Dr Michael McDermott.

In returning an open verdict, Mr O’Connor outlined that this verdict means the evidence does not fully or clearly explain the cause and circumstances of death.

The Coroner said he considered ‘very carefully’ Joseph’s covid vaccine but said none of the medical evidence he heard or received suggested it played any role in the boy’s death.

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