A major Garda investigation into the activities of two doctors in the midwest, who were involved in the provision of an alternative light-therapy treatment for cancer patients, has ended and a file has been sent to the DPP.
The doctors who were the subject of the investigation include Dr Paschal Carmody who practised in Killaloe, Co Clare, and Dr William Porter, who operated out of a premises in Ballina, Co Tipperary.
Dr Carmody was struck off the medical register in 2004 for professional misconduct. An inquiry into his practice followed complaints about his use of the alternative light therapy and his conviction in the District Court for the manufacture and supply of unauthorised medicines.
Dr Porter, an American eye surgeon, was struck off for gross negligence in California before he moved to Ireland. He was not registered to work here as a doctor.
The treatment provided by the doctors was called cytoluminescent therapy or CLT and a number of patients claimed the doctors made misleading claims about the treatment they offered and charged up to €20,000 for it.
Dr Porter claimed he had scientific papers which showed the treatment was effective for up to 19 different types of cancer, including the treatment of deep- seated cancers.
However, a review of 48 patients treated by the doctors in late 2002 and early 2003 found 17 had died within six months of treatment and many suffered after-effects. After seeing the review, published in a US medical journal, the Medical Council asked the garda to investigate.
Dr Porter claimed the treatment had advanced since the review was carried out and that the review was biased. Dr Carmody said at the time he never claimed the laser therapy was a cure for cancer.
The Garda investigation began in 2004. The next-of-kin of a number of patients who were treated by the doctors have given statements to gardaí.