A woman who suffered a fatal asthma attack during Storm Ophelia went to her local pharmacy for an inhaler – only to find it closed.
Gerardine Campbell left work early on October 16, 2017, because she was having trouble breathing.
The 58-year-old had been diagnosed with asthma five years previously.
Mrs Campbell’s family said in a statement after the inquest at Dublin Coroner’s Court yesterday: “She was bubbly and fun and very much love.
"We miss her every day.”
The mother of one drove home from work at around noon but found her inhaler was empty, the inquest heard.
Her son Eoin Campbell told the court: “She came home early that day. She said she didn’t feel well, she couldn’t breathe properly.”
Sgt Michael Higgins of Santry Garda station said: “She and her son drove to their local pharmacy but it was closed due to Storm Ophelia.
“Everything was on lock-down from lunch time. There were very few businesses open, staff were sent home.”
Dr Zeeshaan Khan said Mrs Campbell and Eoin arrived at the VHI Swiftcare Clinic in Swords at 2.17pm. He added: “She had audibly shallow breathing, she was holding onto the railing at reception and was directed to the resuscitation room.”
Mrs Campbell collapsed and staff began chest compressions and an ambulance was called.
The clinic did not have a full complement of nursing staff due to the storm and Eoin was asked to assist in calling the ambulance, the court heard.
The ambulance arrived at 2.25pm and Mrs Campbell was treated at Beaumont Hospital where scans found she had suffered extensive brain damage due to lack of oxygen. She died the next day.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said: “She couldn’t get her medication soon enough. One doesn’t know if she had managed to get her inhaler, what would have happened. But clearly she had a very severe, rapid onset of asthma from which she did not recover.”
She returned a narrative verdict to include the adverse weather conditions that prevented the woman from getting an inhaler from the pharmacy that day.
