Castlebar husband of botulism victim seeks justice for Marie

The husband of a woman who died as a result of an outbreak of botulism in a Bordeaux restaurant is to pursue charges against the restaurateur and two French hospitals.

Marie Grypioti (32) lost her life on September 12 just three days after she and up to a dozen customers in a Bordeaux restaurant fell ill after a suspected outbreak of botulism. Her husband Cathal Meehan, a native of Castlebar also fell ill and was hospitalised but is now recovering from his ordeal.

Mr Meehan is now pursuing charges against the restaurateur and the two hospitals he feels 'inappropriately discharged Marie' after she fell ill. A Go Fund Me page has been created by Mr Meehan to help pay for legal fees to pursue the charges.

“Marie deserves nothing less than justice. Those responsible for this tragic loss must be held accountable, and necessary systemic changes must be implemented to ensure that no other individual or family has to go through such a tragic event ever again,” Mr Meehan wrote on the Go Fund Me page.

“We can create a legacy for Marie that compels hospitals and restaurants to provide safer services. In Bordeaux we were joined in the restaurant by our friend Andrew Clarke who also fell severely ill. We're both now out of the hospital and recovering.

“If you would like to support us, please consider donating to our legal fund, as we expect this process to be lengthy and costly,” he added.

The couple who were married last May had been living in Paris and travelled to Bordeaux to enjoy the atmosphere for Ireland's first game of the Rugby World Cup. They had dined at a bar near the ground which was subsequently closed after being linked to an outbreak of botulism among customers who consumed sardines.

Ms Grypioti first fell ill in Bordeaux and attended hospital but was deemed well enough to be discharged and return to her home in Paris. There she became extremely unwell and was rushed to hospital but her condition deteriorated.

Just hours after her death, Mr Meehan also fell ill, deteriorated badly and was admitted to ICU, where he received the life-saving antitoxin to botulism.

Ms Grypioti, a native of Greece, worked as a chemical lab scientist and her Funeral took place in Athens, Greece at the end of September.

Mr Meehan thanked the public for their kind messages and support over the past month and paid a loving tribute to Marie who he said was 'his life partner'.

“The passing of Marie has been incredibly heart-breaking and devastating. She was a kind, intelligent person who made friends everywhere she went. She was universally loved and a force of nature. Marie was my life partner, and I am unsure how I can move forward without her. She will always remain in our hearts and memories,” he stated.

A target of €100,000 has been set on the Go Fund Me page and to date over €16,000 has been raised in just over one week.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so by visiting the Justice for Marie fundraising page on www.gofundme.com or click on the link https://shorturl.at/ejNP2.