‘We will get justice for Aoife’ say family: Investigation after schoolgirl’s death at UHL

“WE WILL get justice for you, Aoife”.

The words uttered by Meagan Johnston, the older sister of Aoife Johnston, from the altar at the funeral Mass for the teenager who passed away from meningitis at University Hospital Limerick last week.

Aoife, 16, from Shannon, died on Monday, December 19 after becoming ill suddenly over the weekend.

She had attended the Emergency Department of University Hospital Limerick in Dooradoyle.

The Irish Independent reports that she was left on a trolley for up to 16 hours, despite pleas from her family.

A spokesperson for the UL Hospitals Group confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the care the schoolgirl received while at the hospital.

Offering their “sincere condolences” to her family, the spokesperson said a Serious Incident Management Team had been established following Aoife's death and a comprehensive investigation will take place.

Shannon teen laid to rest following passing from meningitis

Richard O'Donoghue, TD, said he believes an independent investigation needs to take place to establish exactly what happened.

“That poor girl having to spend 13 or 14 hours without being seen...,” he said.

“Get an independent investigation going in there. God rest that poor girl's soul and all the families that have been affected, my heart goes out to them.

“They are not listening, they are not learning and I can't understand why. I have no faith in the HSE investigation.

“If there is any justice we need an independent investigation outside of the HSE”.

Aoife's funeral Mass last Thursday was attended by family, friends and classmates from St Caimin's Community School in Shannon.

Gifts brought to the altar to symoblise Aoife's young life included her phone, a lock of her hair, a school project, her memory box and a sticky toffee pudding.

Fr Arnold Rosney told mourners that they should allow Aoife's “light” to guide them during this period of “immense sadness”.

Despite the unimaginable tragedy that was before them, Aoife's family announced at the celebration of her short life that her organs had been donated to two individuals.

It was confirmed that the donation had been a success and there were now two people who lived as a result of the loss of Aoife.

Aoife is deeply missed by her parents James and Carol, sisters Meagan and Kate, grandparents Jimmy and Evelyn, aunts, uncles, cousins, boyfriend Cillian, large circle of friends, extended family and neighbours.

May she rest in peace.