Blu O'Carroll Cassidy, Propionic Acidaemia patient, born 1995.
A native of Salthill, Galway, Cassidy brought an action (through her father, Peter) against the Irish Health Service Executive. Her parents had rejected a previous offer by the HSE as inadequate, as Cassidy's rare metabolic disorder requires 24-hour care for life and a special diet. Highly susceptible to infections and living with brittle bones, she is a full-time wheelchair user and has never attended school. As a result of her condition she suffered brain damage.
The action sought to require the HSE to provide her with appropriate education and support therapies and support services in accordance with her constitutional rights. The lawsuit also attempted to declare that the defendant's failure to provide her with such therapies and supports was to deprive her of her constitutional rights.
In May 2010, "the President of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns approved the settlement of Blu's action against the State in relation to her education needs. The State defendants had agreed to provide a tutor for Blu for 20 hours per week, as well as other educational supports. There would also be a payment of €25,000 for past expenses."