A retired nurse who died hours before mediation started in her legal challenge against the Health Service Executive over her cervical smear tests could have had her case settled while she was still alive, her solicitor has said.
Joan Lucey (73), of Cooleen, Dingle, Co Kerry, died on Friday night, according to Fr Michael Moynihan, parish priest at St Maryâs Church in Dingle.
The widowâs action against the HSE was due to be heard before the High Court next week, but her lawyers sought mediation instead, saying she was âon her deathbedâ and they were concerned large parts of her claim might die with her.