Courts / Ireland / Report
Judge urges parties in blood tester row to consider mediation
Summary
A High Court judge urged the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and the German manufacturer MBR Optical Systems GMBH & Co. KG, along with supplier Linc Medical Systems, to consider mediation over a €1.4 million dispute concerning a Haemospect haemoglobin testing device. The IBTS alleges the device, used for non‑invasive finger pulp tests before blood donations, falsely recorded haemoglobin levels, allowing donors with iron deficiency anaemia to donate. It claims the device was purchased from Linc between June 2013 and May 2015 for €215,532 and rented five units for €25,500, and that it has suffered over €1 million in special damages. MBR disputes any defect, attributing inaccuracies to misuse. The IBTS has stopped using the device since 21 October 2015, notified the Health Products Regulatory Authority, and informed about 90,000 donors. The judge, noting the commercial relationship, encouraged immediate mediation, stating benefits for all sides, and adjourned the case to January.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge urges parties in blood tester row to consider mediation. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- June 2013 Other
- May 2015 Other
- August 2014 Adjournment
- October 1st 2015 Incident
- October 21st 2015 Incident
- December 2015 Other
- 2016-12-12 Publication
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
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