Martin Staines (53) suffered a fatal reaction to polyethylene glycol, an agent present in a pain injection he received at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. Photograph: Family handoutSt James’s Hospital in Dublin has apologised for failings that led to the death of a man who went into anaphylactic shock when he was given a steroid pain injection more than 10 years ago. Counihan said the hospital should have known the patient was allergic to the ingredient contained in the injection. In the letter of apology, read to the court by counsel Declan Buckley, St James’s Hospital expressed sincere condolences to the Staines family. Noting the settlement and approving the division of the solatium, the judge expressed his deepest sympathy to the Staines family.

Source: The Irish Times February 18, 2026 14:32 UTC