The evidence of haemophiliacs and their next-of-kin to the Lindsay tribunal was "central" to its work, counsel for the inquiry, Mr John Finlay, said yesterday.
In a closing statement on behalf of the tribunal's legal team, Mr Finlay said it hoped the 65 individuals who gave personal testimony "may take some satisfaction in the contribution they have made."
He said: "From their evidence, a clear picture emerges of the pattern of devastation caused by infection with HIV and hepatitis C."
Mr Finlay was speaking at the opening of a summary of the tribunal in which dozens of questions were highlighted for answering by the chairwoman, Judge Alison Lindsay. He told the sole member that the observations contained in the statement were being offered as a "possible framework for consideration of the evidence".
As to the source of HIV infections, Mr Finlay said evidence indicated that 104 haemophiliacs were infected with the virus.
The tribunal heard that non-heat-treated Blood Transfusion Service Board factor 9 was the likely philia B patients, and BTSB cryoprecipitate the source of infecting seven haemoprobable source of infecting a haemophilia A patient with the pseudonym Fionn. There was evidence that another haemophilia A patient was infected with a commercial product, Armour Factorate, said Mr Finlay.
Regarding the remaining 95 HIV-infected haemophiliacs, it seemed probable that all received at least some treatment with commercial concentrates prior to January 1st 1985, said Mr Finlay. He added that it might be possible for the tribunal to form a view as to whether commercial concentrates or BTSB cryo was the more probable source of infection.
Mr Finlay questioned whether the BTSB's practice of centrally purchasing and distributing commercial concentrates was an appropriate one. Other queries were set out regarding the BTSB's actions on self-sufficiency, heat-treatment, viral inactivation, and donor selection, screening and testing.
As to the response of the medical profession, Mr Finlay did not think there had been any criticism of the nursing staff of either St James's Hospital or the National Children's Hospital. However, some witnesses had expressed criticism of doctors, particularly of the way they dealt with infected persons and relatives.
Earlier, Judge Lindsay granted a four-day extension to the Irish Haemophilia Society for the submission of its closing statement.
The legal team for a Kilkenny health worker infected with HIV through a blood transfusion will submit its closing statement today.
