Blood probe is welcomed by local man

Blood probe is welcomed by local man

19 July 2017

A DOWNPATRICK man who contracted hepatitis C in a contaminated blood scandal has welcomed the announcement of a public inquiry.

Brian Carberry (50) has been at the centre for a campaign for justice after imported supplies of a blood clotting agent are thought to have killed at least 2,400 people.

Brian grew up with haemophilia, which prevents blood from clotting properly. Requiring regular transfusions, he was infected with hepatitis C along the way, which has had a devastating effect on his health ever since.

During the 1970s and 1980s the UK imported supplies of the clotting agent Factor VIII from the US.

However, some of the samples were infected, with some of the plasma used to make the clotting agent coming from prison inmates in America who sold their blood.

This week’s announcement of a public inquiry from Prime Minister Theresa May finally came after six party leaders in the Commons signed a joint letter calling for an inquiry. There had previously been extensive campaigning by former SDLP MPs Margaret Ritchie and Mark Durkan.

Brian believes there has been a cover-up in the blood contamination scandal, and blames government departments operating in London at the time.

“All these things are going to come out in the inquiry,” he said. “We’re looking for justice and proof there’s been a cover-up for the last 30 years. 

“I am glad to see a inquiry is finally going to happen.”

Former South Down MP Margaret Ritchie also welcomed the announcement.

”It’s an absolute scandal that nobody was held to account,” she said. “I hope that this inquiry will bring some relief to people like Brian, providing some information, truth, justice and adequate levels of compensation.”

Ms Ritchie said it was important that if there had been any wilful neglect or crime committed, the individuals or bodies responsible faced the full ramifications of the law.

She said on Monday that she had written a series of letters to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Health, the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Health.

“This is a UK-wide inquiry and basically as we do not have a devolved administration the NIO will be dealing with it,” she said.

“I asked in my letters when they would begin to hear from victims and about the terms of reference.”

Ms Ritchie said she believed there had been a “cover-up” over the contaminated samples and that there were “suggestions of a criminal cover-up”.

“This was a scandal of immense proportions,” she said.

“We need to know what the Department of Health knew and if the Department of Health in Belfast knew anything away back in the 1970s and 80s.

“What has to be decided is whether or not this is a Hillsborough-style inquiry, where victims engage with an independent panel or if it is to be a judge-led inquiry.

“As former MP I want to keep the pressure on. If Theresa May thinks just because she has announced the inquiry she has bought herself time, she is mistaken.”

Ms Ritchie said there were other hepatitis C victims in the wider South Down area and Northern Ireland who had not wanted to speak publicly and she praised Brian for his courage.

“I congratulate and commend Brian and his family,” she said. “It takes a lot of guts to do this.”