THE parents of a nine-year-old girl whose "avoidable" hospital death was at the centre of a damning inquiry yesterday spoke of their "total confidence" in a coroner presiding over a fresh inquest.
Alan and Jennifer Roberts attended the first day of the landmark hearing at Laganside Courts in Belfast - more than 20 years after losing their little girl Claire.
The east Belfast schoolgirl died in 1996 at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children from a condition known as hyponatraemia, which is linked to a shortage of sodium in the blood.
Her case formed part of a damning public inquiry which concluded that three other children's deaths at the hospital were also avoidable.
The 14-year inquiry report, which was published in January 2018, found there was a "cover up" by some consultants in relation to the care of Claire - and that those involved were more intent on protecting their own reputations to "avoid scrutiny".
During yesterday's hearing, an expert medical witness, Professor Keith Cartwright said he had changed his mind about the cause of Claire's death.
The consultant clinical microbiologist said that while he believed a viral infection had led to her being admitted to hospital, it had not been the cause of her death - which had been his original view in his reports to the public inquiry.
The four-day hearing, which was ordered by the Attorney General, is to hear from ten medical experts.
An original inquest into Claire's death - which took place 13 years ago at her parents' request - incorrectly found she had died from a brain virus.
Speaking before the hearing, Mr Roberts said they currently had two incorrect death certificates for their daughter and wanted the truth.
He and his wife had a small, framed photograph of their only daughter in front of them during the hearing.
"We have total confidence the coroner will answer the question we've been asking for 22 years," he said.
A major police inquiry is the circumstances around Claire's death is ongoing.
Speaking to the Irish News last year following the announcement of the new inquest, Mrs Roberts said it was "torture" preparing herself for each legal hearing.
"I was 36 years old when this started, I'm now 58 and it's just like reliving it each time... but we want justice for Claire," she said.
