Sudden death of student may be linked to genetic abnormality and oral contraceptive pill, inquest hears
Sarah-Kate O'Meara died in June last year during her Leaving Cert exams
The sudden death of a healthy young student from Cork in the middle of her Leaving Cert exams last year may be linked to both a previously unknown genetic abnormality and an oral contraceptive pill, an inquest has heard.
A sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court heard that Sarah-Kate O'Meara had begun taking a common combined oral contraceptive, Ovreena, about a month before her death.
Today, an inquest into her death heard the Glen Rovers camogie player would also have been at an increased risk of blood clots due to a previously unknown genetic condition as well as a period of relative inactivity while studying for exams.
A post-mortem examination showed the teenager died from a lack of oxygen to the brain due to blood clots in her right lung and in veins on the surface of her brain.
The 18-year-old student from Baker's Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital after becoming unwell at her home on the morning of June 10, 2024, just before she was due to sit a maths paper in her Leaving Cert exams at Mount Mercy College.
Sarah-Kate was transferred to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin the following day for specialist care but her condition subsequently deteriorated and she died on June 17 last year – four days after her 18th birthday.
Her mother, Diann O'Meara, told the inquest that her daughter – one of five children – was a healthy teenager who was very sporty, playing camogie, running and going to the gym.
Read more Coalman convicted of Slane Castle killing had €322k cash hidden under false step in his house
She said Sarah-Kate was 'so health-conscious' that she would give out to the rest of her family about putting salt and butter on their food.
Ms O'Meara recalled her daughter giving a small cough after coming into the kitchen at around 8.25am on June 10 last year with a study folder under her arm.
She told the inquest that Sarah-Kate then fell to the ground as if she had fainted.
Ms O'Meara said she screamed for her husband, Tony, to help before their daughter started speaking, although she still appeared somewhat disoriented.
After being moved to a couch, the teenager told her parents that she felt like something was stuck in her chest but was concerned about going to school for her exam.
Ms O'Meara said her daughter vomited shortly after she had given her some Lucozade and Calpol.
A short time later, they called an ambulance after her lips went blue and her skin turned grey and she went into convulsions.
Breaking down in tears at regular intervals as she recalled the tragic events, Ms O'Meara said her husband started CPR on their daughter and was later assisted by a pharmacist from a nearby pharmacy.
However, Sarah-Kate was unresponsive by the time paramedics arrived at the home.
Ms O'Meara said they decided to donate their daughter's organs to help others after being informed by doctors at the Mater Hospital that the chances of her recovering were unlikely.
In reply to questions from the coroner, Clare Keane, she said there was nothing to suggest there was anything amiss with her daughter's health in the days before her collapse.
Ms O'Meara outlined how Sarah-Kate had visited the Parklands Surgery general practice in Cork the previous month to arrange to start taking a contraceptive pill.
The inquest heard she was on no other medication at the time of her death apart from an occasional protein supplement and had no history of blood clots.
Ms O'Meara said Sarah-Kate had suffered from migraine for a number of years but had no longer required treatment for it since 2017.
Cork-based GP, Caroline Burke, gave evidence of prescribing Ovreena to the teenager following a detailed consultation on May 13, last year.
Dr Burke said the teenager wanted to go on the pill to lighten her periods as well as for contraceptive purposes.
The doctor told the inquest that she went through the various options for contraception and a detailed set of questions that covered possible risk factors as well as checking the patient's blood pressure and weight.
Dr Burke said she had discussed the patient's previous history of migraine but was reassured that she had not suffered the specific type of migraine that posed a particular risk.
The inquest heard that Sarah-Kate was given a prescription for one month for Ovreena and had booked a follow-up check for one month later.
Dr Burke told the coroner that Ovreena was 'the safest first-line option' for the combined oral contraceptive pill.
Consultant cardiologist at CUH, Gerry Fahy, told the hearing that the teenager's poor condition on arrival at the hospital had required her to be defibrillated 15 times over a 90-minute period.
Dr Fahy said doctors were not aware at the time of the underlying cause of what happened and originally believed it was due to inflammation of the heart muscle before it became clearer that it could be due to blood clots.
He said that the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation – a rare condition where the patient is prone to both clotting and bleeding at the same time – which posed major challenges in providing regular treatment for clots.
Consultant intensivist and anaesthetist at the Mater, Dr Deirdre Edgeworth, gave evidence that the patient was deemed suitable for treatment with the hospital's ECMO machine – which diverts blood away from the lungs and heart – for patients with cardiac conditions that are considered reversible.
Consultant cardiologist at the Mater, Dr Katie Murphy, said Sarah-Kate had no signs of any underlying cardiac condition.
Dr Murphy said the patient's cardiac function had improved with the ECMO treatment but the neurological injuries she had suffered as a result of the cardiac event had proven fatal.
The cardiologist said she believed the cause of the blood clots were 'multi-factorial', including the patient's use of an oral contraceptive pill and not being as active as normal due to her studies.
Dr Murphy also said that testing had shown Sarah-Kate had a genetic abnormality known as Factor V Leiden which placed her at an increased risk of blood clots.
Recording a narrative verdict to reflect the complexity of the evidence, Dr Keane said she noted the significant finding in relation to Factor V Leiden.
The coroner also observed that there was a known increased risk of blood clots with the combined oral contraceptive pill.
Dr Keane recorded that the potential side effects of the pill had been explained to the teenager and that it had been prescribed at a time when her genetic abnormality was unknown.
The inquest heard that the donation of the deceased's kidneys had saved the lives of two other patients.
Offering her condolences to the student's family, Dr Keane said she was so sorry 'for the heartbreaking loss of your vibrant daughter'.
Ms O'Meara replied: 'It's the world's loss – not just ours. She had so much to offer.'
Her family had originally sought an adjournment of the inquest after only receiving a copy of Dr Burke's deposition just before the hearing which had left them 'taken aback'.
However, they decided to allow the inquest to proceed after the coroner informed them they could ask questions about any evidence.
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Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Sudden death of student may be linked to genetic abnormality and oral contraceptive pill, inquest hears
Teenager was at increased risk of blood clots Sarah-Kate O'Meara died in June last year during her Leaving Cert exams The sudden death of a healthy young student from Cork in the middle of her Leaving Cert exams last year may be linked to both a previously unknown genetic abnormality and an oral contraceptive pill, an inquest has heard. A sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court heard that Sarah-Kate O'Meara had begun taking a common combined oral contraceptive, Ovreena, about a month before her death. Today, an inquest into her death heard the Glen Rovers camogie player would also have been at an increased risk of blood clots due to a previously unknown genetic condition as well as a period of relative inactivity while studying for exams. A post-mortem examination showed the teenager died from a lack of oxygen to the brain due to blood clots in her right lung and in veins on the surface of her brain. The 18-year-old student from Baker's Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital after becoming unwell at her home on the morning of June 10, 2024, just before she was due to sit a maths paper in her Leaving Cert exams at Mount Mercy College. Sarah-Kate was transferred to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin the following day for specialist care but her condition subsequently deteriorated and she died on June 17 last year – four days after her 18th birthday. Her mother, Diann O'Meara, told the inquest that her daughter – one of five children – was a healthy teenager who was very sporty, playing camogie, running and going to the gym. Read more Coalman convicted of Slane Castle killing had €322k cash hidden under false step in his house She said Sarah-Kate was 'so health-conscious' that she would give out to the rest of her family about putting salt and butter on their food. Ms O'Meara recalled her daughter giving a small cough after coming into the kitchen at around 8.25am on June 10 last year with a study folder under her arm. She told the inquest that Sarah-Kate then fell to the ground as if she had fainted. Ms O'Meara said she screamed for her husband, Tony, to help before their daughter started speaking, although she still appeared somewhat disoriented. After being moved to a couch, the teenager told her parents that she felt like something was stuck in her chest but was concerned about going to school for her exam. Ms O'Meara said her daughter vomited shortly after she had given her some Lucozade and Calpol. A short time later, they called an ambulance after her lips went blue and her skin turned grey and she went into convulsions. Breaking down in tears at regular intervals as she recalled the tragic events, Ms O'Meara said her husband started CPR on their daughter and was later assisted by a pharmacist from a nearby pharmacy. However, Sarah-Kate was unresponsive by the time paramedics arrived at the home. Ms O'Meara said they decided to donate their daughter's organs to help others after being informed by doctors at the Mater Hospital that the chances of her recovering were unlikely. In reply to questions from the coroner, Clare Keane, she said there was nothing to suggest there was anything amiss with her daughter's health in the days before her collapse. Ms O'Meara outlined how Sarah-Kate had visited the Parklands Surgery general practice in Cork the previous month to arrange to start taking a contraceptive pill. The inquest heard she was on no other medication at the time of her death apart from an occasional protein supplement and had no history of blood clots. Ms O'Meara said Sarah-Kate had suffered from migraine for a number of years but had no longer required treatment for it since 2017. Cork-based GP, Caroline Burke, gave evidence of prescribing Ovreena to the teenager following a detailed consultation on May 13, last year. Dr Burke said the teenager wanted to go on the pill to lighten her periods as well as for contraceptive purposes. The doctor told the inquest that she went through the various options for contraception and a detailed set of questions that covered possible risk factors as well as checking the patient's blood pressure and weight. Dr Burke said she had discussed the patient's previous history of migraine but was reassured that she had not suffered the specific type of migraine that posed a particular risk. The inquest heard that Sarah-Kate was given a prescription for one month for Ovreena and had booked a follow-up check for one month later. Dr Burke told the coroner that Ovreena was 'the safest first-line option' for the combined oral contraceptive pill. Consultant cardiologist at CUH, Gerry Fahy, told the hearing that the teenager's poor condition on arrival at the hospital had required her to be defibrillated 15 times over a 90-minute period. Dr Fahy said doctors were not aware at the time of the underlying cause of what happened and originally believed it was due to inflammation of the heart muscle before it became clearer that it could be due to blood clots. He said that the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation – a rare condition where the patient is prone to both clotting and bleeding at the same time – which posed major challenges in providing regular treatment for clots. Consultant intensivist and anaesthetist at the Mater, Dr Deirdre Edgeworth, gave evidence that the patient was deemed suitable for treatment with the hospital's ECMO machine – which diverts blood away from the lungs and heart – for patients with cardiac conditions that are considered reversible. Consultant cardiologist at the Mater, Dr Katie Murphy, said Sarah-Kate had no signs of any underlying cardiac condition. Dr Murphy said the patient's cardiac function had improved with the ECMO treatment but the neurological injuries she had suffered as a result of the cardiac event had proven fatal. The cardiologist said she believed the cause of the blood clots were 'multi-factorial', including the patient's use of an oral contraceptive pill and not being as active as normal due to her studies. Dr Murphy also said that testing had shown Sarah-Kate had a genetic abnormality known as Factor V Leiden which placed her at an increased risk of blood clots. Recording a narrative verdict to reflect the complexity of the evidence, Dr Keane said she noted the significant finding in relation to Factor V Leiden. The coroner also observed that there was a known increased risk of blood clots with the combined oral contraceptive pill. Dr Keane recorded that the potential side effects of the pill had been explained to the teenager and that it had been prescribed at a time when her genetic abnormality was unknown. The inquest heard that the donation of the deceased's kidneys had saved the lives of two other patients. Offering her condolences to the student's family, Dr Keane said she was so sorry 'for the heartbreaking loss of your vibrant daughter'. Ms O'Meara replied: 'It's the world's loss – not just ours. She had so much to offer.' Her family had originally sought an adjournment of the inquest after only receiving a copy of Dr Burke's deposition just before the hearing which had left them 'taken aback'. However, they decided to allow the inquest to proceed after the coroner informed them they could ask questions about any evidence.
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Teacher had sex with Leaving Cert student in her mother's bed, tribunal told
She told a fitness-to-teach inquiry that at one point he said it would be 'hot' if she wore her school uniform during sex A schoolteacher had sex with a Leaving Cert student in her mother's bed and his car after sharing explicit photos with her on Snapchat, it is alleged. The then 18-year-old said she was 'naive and vulnerable' when her class head teacher started an inappropriate relationship with her in the months before she sat her exams. She told a fitness-to-teach inquiry that at one point he said it would be 'hot' if she wore her school uniform during sex. It is further alleged that on their sixth year graduation night, he kissed the complainant's best friend, who described the teacher's behaviour as 'predatory.' The man is accused of professional misconduct and breaching the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers, which he denies. The inquiry is being held by the Teaching Council following a complaint by a student known as Ms A, now in her 20s. It is alleged the teacher inappropriately communicated with her on Snapchat between October 2017 and June 2018, and sent her messages, photos, pictures and memes of an inappropriate and sexual nature between January and June, 2018. He is alleged to have provided her with alcohol and had an inappropriate sexual relationship with her between March and June that year. Further allegations relate to her friend, Ms B, who he allegedly touched and kissed in a pub in May 2018. Stock image: Getty News in 90 Seconds - July 10th Ms A said the teacher had given her maths grinds in 2017 but 'nothing untoward' happened. He added her on Snapchat late that year and as they exchanged messages, it was not her intention for anything romantic to happen, but she continued out of curiosity. The teacher was aged 28 at the time and had two children. 'I knew it was weird to speak to a teacher over Snapchat and I shouldn't be doing it,' Ms A said. He complimented her and joked about 'going off with a student.' The frequency and intimacy of the messages slowly increased and he started making sexual advances towards her, the inquiry heard. He 'tested the waters of what he could say to me' and as she became more responsive, it 'escalated' and they exchanged explicit photos. 'He would send me d**k pics of his genitals and I would send him nude pictures in return,' she said. He would 'encourage my alcohol use, knowing it would lower my inhibitions', saying 'you will be horny', she alleged. She said he told her she was better looking than her friends and asked about her boyfriend, saying to her: 'What are you doing with him?' She 'knew it was wrong' and felt that she cared more about the repercussions than she did, she said. She had mental health issues and was coping in ways that were 'wrong and unhealthy.' They first met after school in March 2018 when he dropped her home in his car, she continued. The next day, she alleged they went to her house while she was drunk and her mother was out. 'I kind of knew this was where it was going, it felt inevitable,' she said. 'I still had a bunk bed so we went into my mother's bed and had sex.' She alleged he later said of her boyfriend: 'Just tell him that you f**ked a teacher in your mam's bed.' When they allegedly had sex in his car, she 'felt reluctant and awkward' and she did not like 'the clunkiness of it.' She said it was 'too real' for her and she recalled being able to see his child's car seat, where he left a bottle of vodka he bought her. She said he told her they had not had sex while she was in her school uniform, saying 'that would be hot'. They also had sex in his apartment, she said. Some of the messages alleged to have been between the teacher and Ms A were retrieved, barrister Neasa Bird, for the director of the Teaching Council, said. In one message the man allegedly told Ms A his mother was asking if he was seeing an 'old one' and he told her 'no, she's the complete opposite, ha ha, a young one'. According to the message, his mother replied: 'Please say she's f**king legal.' Ms A said she believed he thought this was 'hilarious.' 'To be fair, your mother's allowed to drink your wine since we rode in her bed and her couch hahahahaha,' he allegedly said in another message. Ms A told the inquiry he responded to a nude photo she sent: 'hahaha love it.' Other messages read 'Should f**k soon', 'car sex later'.' Ms B said on graduation night in May 2018, she was walking upstairs when the teacher 'slapped my bum two to three times.' As they sat talking alone, she said, he played with the bow on her dress, saying he would like to undo it. Later, they were alone again in a dark corner when he kissed her and she did not pull away. She left and was surprised he had done this on her graduation night, but 'he had always given off a creepy vibe.' She said he added her on Snapchat and sent her a message: 'you should have come back to mine.' He continued to contact her with a 'flirty undertone,' she said. He allegedly sent a screenshot of an Instagram follow request from another student with the comment 'she wants it.' He also sent her a 'd**k pic' of his genitals, she said. Ms B said she blocked him because he 'had given me the creeps' but when he asked why, added him again because she felt she had to. Ms A said when she realised he was sending them both the same messages, she sent Ms B a 'sugarcoated' letter telling her about the relationship without disclosing its sexual nature. Ms Bird, for the director of the council, said the teacher had made submissions maintaining the complaint against him 'lacks detail'. He was not required to be present at the inquiry, and Ms Bird read from the submissions. In them, he stated allegations from Ms A including that he kissed her best friend on graduation night were not corroborated. He noted that the letter Ms A sent to Ms B stated 'nothing sexual occurred'. He said there were 'significant doubts' as to the credibility of her account, her case was a 'weak one' and there was 'no public interest' in referring it to inquiry. There was 'nothing to suggest he had anything other than an exemplary record of teaching,' he submitted. The inquiry continues next week.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Teacher had sex with Leaving Cert student in her mother's bed, tribunal told
The then 18-year-old has told a fitness-to-teach inquiry she was 'naive and vulnerable' when her class head teacher started an inappropriate relationship with her in the months before she sat her exams A schoolteacher had sex with a Leaving Cert student in her mother's bed and his car after sharing explicit photos with her on Snapchat, it is alleged. The then 18-year-old said she was 'naive and vulnerable' when her class head teacher started an inappropriate relationship with her in the months before she sat her exams.
