A woman has been awarded almost €140,000 in damages after a hospital left a swab inside her for three weeks.
Claire Lalor (29) from Swords, Co Dublin gave birth to a baby girl in December 2012 at the National Maternity Hospital.
The court heard she was discharged on December 27th in considerable pain - and she had problems sitting and a bad smell was starting to develop.
Ms Lalor complained to the hospital about her symptoms, but was twice turned away without a proper diagnosis.
The third time she returned to the hospital on January 16th 2013, when the swab was discovered.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross said Ms Lalor had suffered extreme trauma after the vaginal swab went undetected.
TV3 reporter Geraldine Lynagh was in court. She told Newstalk Lunchtime the hospital accepted liability in this case.