Terminally ill woman Emma Mhic Mhathúna has settled her case against the Health Service Executive and a US laboratory for €7.5 million.

The mother-of-five is one of the 209 women affected by the cervical cancer controversy.

They received incorrect smear test results, which were discovered during a clinical audit by the CervicalCheck screening programme.

Ms Mhic Mhathúna was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, but earlier this year she found out that a 2013 smear test that incorrectly gave her the all-clear, was later found to show signs of cancer.

Last month, her legal team said they had been informed that smear tests taken between 2011 and 2013 had been the subject of an audit, but it now appeared that 2010 tests had also been audited.

Ms Mhic Mhathúna's solicitor said they had not been informed of this until they received records from Quest Diagnostics at the end of May.

The Co Kerry woman, whose children are aged between two and 16, sued the HSE and the US laboratory used by CervicalCheck.

I was determined to find justice for my children - Emma Mhic Mhathúna pic.twitter.com/RJN5jDF9Po — RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 29, 2018

A full hearing of the case was due to take place today, but this morning the judge was told that significant progress had been made and it was hoped it would be settled shortly.

When the case was called again, the judge was told it had been settled.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said he was pleased the parties managed to resolve their differences and approved the settlement.

As part of the settlement, the HSE admitted liability for failing to disclose the findings of the audit carried out and Quest Diagnostics admitted liability for misreading the smears.

Justice is the priority here, says Mhic Mhathúna outside court

Ms Mhic Mhathúna wore a long red dress chosen by her children to court today to show confidence.

She said "red is a symbol for standing with women".

She said: "Whether I'm dying or not, justice is the priority here and I wasn't going to come into court a victim, I came a victor."

She welcomed the apology from Quest Diagostics saying, "the higher the money and the more apologies they have to give the greater chance that Quest Diagnostics will make changes".

Ms Mhic Mhathúna said her children were very proud of her.

The judge approved the immediate release of €1.1m to enable Ms Mhic Mhathúna to buy a new home and go on a family holiday.