The organs of Fintan and Laura Kelleher’s baby daughter Hope were sent for incineration without their parent's consent or knowledge. The couple launched a petition last year demanding that the Human Tissue Bill be published by the Department of Health. Laura Kelleher is one of the bereaved parents of 18 babies whose organs were incinerated in Belgium along with clinical waste, protested outside Cork University Maternity Hospital last year. The organs of the 18 babies were initially stored in the morgue at Cork University Hospital after being released by the pathology department following post-mortem examinations. Last November, a report from a review team set up to examine the circumstances leading to the disposal of the babies’ organs said the organs were incinerated abroad because of a “misguided” decision and a deviation from local policy and national standards.

Source: Irish Examiner June 21, 2023 17:47 UTC