DPP drops case over hepatitis C infections scandal

THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions has dropped the case against a former blood bank biochemist on charges relating to the infection of women with hepatitis C.

The long-running case concerned the infection of women with hepatitis C from contaminated blood products from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.

Campaign group Positive Action said it was informed by investigating gardaí in recent days that all charges against Dr Cecily Cunningham, a former principal biochemist in the Blood Transfusion Service Board, had been dropped.

It is understood that a key witness - a scientist who was involved in the manufacturing process for anti-D - has died.

Positive Action, which supports those affected by the scandal, said it regretted that the decision had to be taken and said members were angry that nobody was held accountable for "the serious illness they would never have acquired if safety standards had been adhered to".

"The DPP's decision brings a closure to the legal action but it is not the closure the women wanted. There is sorrow and resignation at this decision but it in no way takes from the work undertaken by the Garda team. We know from the Finlay tribunal report where systems and individuals failed and this will always remain as a matter of record," said chairwoman Detta Warnock.

Investigating detectives and the prosecution legal team are due to meet the group on Wednesday to discuss the issue further.

The contamination scandal involving anti-D product given to some women at childbirth between the late 1970s and early 1990s became public in 1994 and was the subject of a tribunal of inquiry in 1997. It also resulted in a major compensation scheme for the women affected.

Dr Terry Walsh, a consultant haematologist and former assistant national director with the blood bank, was charged along with Dr Cunningham over the anti-D product. Dr Walsh died in 2006.