Cork girl (8) who was injured in the eye by forceps at birth gets €198,000

A girl who was injured in the eye by a forceps during her delivery has settled her High Court action for €198,000.

The High Court heard the child, Princess Ibeh, now aged eight, has had to wear glasses but will be able to cease doing so shortly.

Princess Ibeh, Elm Park, Wilton, Cork, through her mother Dzifa Ibeh, sued the HSE over injuries sustained during her birth at St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork on October 18th, 2006.

It was alleged there was failure to use the forceps correctly, appropriately and competently. After birth, the baby had cuts to her head, her right eye was swollen and was later noticed to be cloudy, it was alleged.

The claims were denied.

Senior Counsel Dr John O’Mahony, for the child, said that during delivery by a junior doctor, the forceps covered the eye when it should not have.

The child will be able to dispense with glasses soon and, taking both eyes toegether, has very good vision, he said.

However, in the future, she would be unable to pursue certain careers such as the Garda or Army. The child is doing very well at school and has a small scar under her right eye, he added.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a very good settlement and he approved it.