University Hospital Galway has apologised to the family of a man who died after surgery for treatable cancer was carried out by a surgeon who was under supervision after concerns had been raised about some of his work.

The hospital acknowledged that the death of Shane Banks, from Strandhill in Sligo, could have been avoided.

The 43-year-old had surgery for lung cancer on 21 June 2019 during which major complications arose. He died three days later.

According to RTE, Senior Counsel Edward Walsh told the High Court that it was a "particularly distressing case" involving the untimely death of a 43-year-old man due to a "catalogue of medical errors".

Mr Banks' family was not informed about his deteriorating condition and he died three days later.

The inquest into his death last year was the longest running in the history of the State and found the cause of death was by medical misadventure.

In a letter to his family, University Hospital Galway General Manager Chris Kane acknowledged the enormity of the personal loss to the family.

The apology was read in the High Court after the family settled its case for an undisclosed sum.