Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sexual Abuse Allegations.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

65 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the allegations made against a medical consultant, now retired from the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, in connection with allegations of sexual abuse against a number of patients; the current position regarding criminal investigations and the investigation and inquiry by the Medical Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2795/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The current position with regard to this case is as follows. The Deputy will be aware that the consultant in question retired with effect from 13 October 1995. He also subsequently resigned from the board of the North Eastern Health Board.

In November 1995, an independent expert group was set up by the hospital, under the chairmanship of Dr. Miriam Hederman O'Brien, to examine and report to the hospital board on the hospital's response to complaints of sexual abuse made against the former consultant. The group is also to assess the current Protocols, practices and procedures in place at the hospital relating to the prevention of cases of this nature, and to make such recommendations as they deem appropriate. In addition, the hospital has set up a confidential help-line and counselling service for all those who may have had a distressing experience arising from medical services provided by them. I have supported the hospital in these moves and indicated that I am anxious to see the result of the group's work.

The question of the current position regarding criminal investigations is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, so I cannot comment in this regard. Finally, the Medical Council has indicated that it considers that, by virtue of the provisions of Section 45 (5) of the Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, the Fitness to Practice Committee is prevented from divulging matters about which a complaint or an application for an inquiry has been made.