The London-based Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has refused to conduct an inquiry into the case of a child aborted at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at Holles Street after a wrongful diagnosis of a serious foetal abnormality.

The Hospital had asked the Royal College to review the case, but in declining the invitation, it said it did not have the expertise needed. It also expressed doubt that it could complete the work as quickly as was required. It has suggested individual clinicians would be in a position to carry out a review more swiftly, and has offered to put the hospital in contact with them.

Caoimhe Haughey, the solicitor for the couple in the case, said RCOG’s decision meant promises of an independent review were now “in limbo” and it was unclear what would happen.

She has has written to Health Minister Simon Harris and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan calling for a full statutory inquiry. In the letter, she indicates a proposed external review might not go far enough and the parents of the child believe a sworn Section 9 inquiry may be warranted “to eliminate risk”.