Former Killaloe GP Paschal Carmody has said his reputation has been restored and he’s been vindicated in court after the last remaining charges against him were dropped.
The 65 year old of Ballycuggeran, Killaloe revealed he’s spent up to three million euro defending his innocence and said he’s in no doubt that lives were lost after the Medical Council prevented him from providing further treatment to 150 Cancer Patients in 2003.
With the DPP entering a nolle prosqui in the final charges against Paschal Carmody, he’s now cleared of allegations that he obtained 14,300 euro through falsely pretending that he could cure the cancer of the late JJ Gallagher of Kingswood, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
The decision by the DPP comes seven months after Judge Raymond Fullam directed that Mr Carmody be found not guilty on all nine charges of obtaining over 16,000 euro from the families of now deceased Co Wexford schoolboy Conor O’Sullivan and Kilkenny man John Sheridan who attended the East Clinic in Killaloe in 2001 and 2002.
Paschal Carmody’s short hearing before Ennis District Court brings to a close a nine year long prosecution process against him – including three separate criminal trials.
Speaking afterwards, the former GP said it was "very hurtful" that he has had to spend millions to defend his innocence and also stated that lives of his former patients were lost when he was prevented from practising as a doctor.
Mr Carmody said that he intends to apply to the State for the costs of the trials after he was totally "vindicated" by the court.
Describing the effects of the last 9 years as "catastrophic" to his health, Mr Carmody expressed the hope that he can now get on with his life.