File on therapist sent to DPP but no prosecution followed

Gardaí prepared a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case of the Mayo man who died from a cancerous tumour while being treated by an alternative therapist, but the DPP did not bring a prosecution.

Paul Howie (49) from Ballinrobe died in April 2003 while being treated by Mulranny-based Mineke Kamper, who has been variously described as a natural health therapist and a homeopath.

She was criticised by coroner John O'Dwyer and by Mr Howie's widow, Michelle, when she failed to attend Mr Howie's inquest on Monday. After Mr Howie died gardaí conducted an investigation which led to a file being prepared and sent to the DPP.

It also emerged yesterday that Ms Kamper was involved in a second controversial case when a patient she was treating died from an asthmatic attack in July 2001.

The inquest into the death of Jacqueline Alderslade (55), originally from England, heard that Ms Kamper had advised her patient to give up her asthma medication, except for a Ventolin inhaler. Ms Alderslade died in her car a short time afterwards, while on her way for a consultation with Ms Kamper.

Yesterday her partner, Fred Kerman, told The Irish Times it could happen again if Ms Kamper was allowed to continue her practice. "It might be a child next."

He travelled from England for this week's inquest and said he could not believe the law had not been changed to compel Ms Kamper to attend the inquest.

The therapist also ignored a number of Garda summonses to attend Ms Alderslade's inquest. She gave a statement to a garda saying she did not take her patient off any medicines.

However, Mr Kerman gave Ms Alderslade's journal to the authorities which recorded her apprehension about the change in her treatment. She said Ms Kamper had assured her she would not let her die. Ms Alderslade wrote that Ms Kamper had prescribed homeopathic drops and pills that she said would replace the cortisone.

According to Ms Alderslade's diary, the therapist had said her asthma was due to emotional upset.

"It's her word against Jackie's, but when someone is writing a journal they are going to tell the truth," Mr Kerman said.

It was hard to believe that a doctor could be struck off, he said, if they did something wrong, yet alternative therapists could do what they wished.

Although gardaí took statements in this case, a file was not sent to the DPP. Mr Kerman said he was disappointed the case could not be taken further but he hoped a civil action might be taken some day.