State body reps will not attend Mayo teen's inquest, tomorrow

Joseph McGinty (14) died three weeks post Pfizer inquest

The first inquest in Ireland to raise issues over Covid 19 vaccine safety opens tomorrow in Co Mayo. The inquest into the death of Joseph McGinty (14) from Achill Island, is significant because for the first time in an Irish courtroom setting, a representative of Pfizer will be questioned specifically on the issue of Covid 19 vaccine safety. Readers new to this Substack may refer back to the preliminary opening of the case, at Castlebar Courthouse on November 21 last, when Coroner Pat O’Connor outlined the intention to apply for free legal aid for the McGinty family.

“The circumstances of Joseph McGinty’s death is that covid vaccination was administered to him. That there appears to have been either a reaction or a significant change in his medical circumstances following the administration of the vaccine and that subsequently unfortunately, Master McGinty died,” Coroner Pat O’Connor said.

Joseph McGinty died on September 13 2021, three weeks after receiving the jab at a vaccination centre. The Coroner described the death as an issue of ‘significant public concern.’

Earlier this year, representatives of three key bodies responsible for the safe administration of medical products in Ireland were called to attend the inquest to answer questions.

The three are:  

Karina Butler, Chairperson of the National Immunisation Advisory Clinic (NIAC)

Anne Tobin, Pharmacovigilance Manager, Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Breda Smyth, who replaced former CMO Dr Tony Holohan.

Today, the Mayo Coroner’s office confirmed that none of the representatives personally requested to attend will do so. It is expected that information explaining their absence will be made public at the inquest.

A series of statements will be read into the record in their absence.

The three were expected to attend tomorrow’s hearing at Swinford Courthouse. The opening schedule will hear from mother of the deceased, Patricia McGinty, whose evidence will follow that of investigating Garda Martin O’Reilly. The boy’s father, John Paul McGinty is also scheduled to give evidence tomorrow. Achill Island based GP’s Dr Edward King and Dr Bernadette O’Leary GP are listed to attend and answer questions. The final witness listed for tomorrow is Consultant Pathologist at Mayo University Hospital, Dr Fadel Bennani, who sought a second opinion after conducting an autopsy.

Wednesday is due to feature evidence from Frank Harburn, General Manager, Regional Vaccination Programme and Brian Gibbons, Emergency Medical Technician and Vaccinator. Three medical witnesses on behalf of MUH are due to appear before the Coroner in the afternoon.

On Thursday the court moves to Ballina in order to facilitate virtual evidence from Pfizer’s UK Vaccines Medical Director, Dr Gillian Ellsbury.

Last month, a preliminary hearing was told that Dr Ellsbury would not attend the inquest in person but appear and answer questions by video link. The reason for her failure to attend in person, given by Pfizer Ireland’s legal representative, Roddy Bourke of McCann Fitzgerald in Dublin, was ‘threats on social media.’

“There have been threats on social media regarding Pfizer personnel and vaccines and Dr Ellsbury has been advised not to travel. She is interested to assist the inquest but in a virtual capacity,” Mr Bourke said.

On Thursday afternoon pediatrician Dr William Abdelnour is due to appear before the coroner, along with Dr Niall Dunworth, who holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. A week before Joseph McGinty received his Pfizer vaccine on August 20 2021, Dr Dunworth retweeted this item, posted on August 13.

Finally, evidence from three nurses involved in Joseph McGinty’s care is scheduled to be heard late on Thursday afternoon.

The inquest opens tomorrow in Swinford.

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