In our edition of 21 September 2008, in an editorial we referred to the death of Edel Kelly and stated: 'Nobody knows how Edel Kelly's health might have fared if the one and only biopsy she had on her breast had been properly diagnosed'.

We fully accept that the biopsy, which was examined and reported on by Dr Mulcahy, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, was completely correct and she met the highest professional standards in all respects.

We wish to apologise to Dr Mulcahy for the damage, distress and embarrass-ment caused to her by this editorial comment.