McGinley family told no independent inquiry into postmortem fractures
The family of a Strabane pensioner who suffered 34 broken bones after her death have been told there will not be an independent public inquiry into her death.
The children of Maureen McGinley (78), who died at Altnagelvin Hospital in January 2007, met this morning with NIO Minister Paul Goggins MP and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey as part of their ongoing campaign calling for an inquiry.
But following that meeting it was announced the case would be referred to the Parliamentary and Northern Ireland Ombudsmen rather than investigated by through an independent inquiry.
Paul Goggins said: "We sympathise with and support the McGinley family in their attempts to find the answers into how their mother's body suffered injury after her death.
"The three ministers with responsibilities for the services involved in this matter have decided, after careful consideration, that a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 would not be appropriate in this case. But questions need to be answered and, given the circumstances of this case, we believe that the most appropriate way for that fully independent investigation to take place is by referring the matter to the Parliamentary and Northern Ireland Ombudsmen."
Michael McGimpsey added: "I would hope the McGinley family will consider the points we have made to them today about the potential for investigation by the Ombudsmen to provide the answers they are seeking.
"The Ombudsmen are entirely independent of government and have the same powers in respect of the attendance and examination of witnesses as a High Court Judge, including the taking of evidence under oath.
"We are of the view that the Ombudsmen can fulfil the family's wish for a full independent investigation and, that this avenue, has the best chance of providing the answers they so understandably seek."
Mrs McGinley's numerous fractures were sustained sometime between her death and an examination by the coroner.
More than 18,000 people have signed a petition calling for an independent inquiry.
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