A British gynaecologist against whom almost 200 charges of malpractice have been made plans to remain in the village of Dromahane, his adopted home, near Mallow, Co Cork.
Mr Rodney Ledward has been barred from practising in Britain but is not wanted there on any charges. His presence in Cork has provoked huge interest by the British media, and Mr Ledward has complained to the Garda that his privacy is being interfered with.
Speaking from his home at the weekend, he said he liked Dromahane and intended to continue living in the bungalow which he bought 18 months ago. Mr Ledward answered the door to reporters but asked them to leave, warning that if they failed to do so he would refer the matter to the Garda. The speculation locally was that he had left the area to avoid media attention.
London-born Mr Ledward (62) practised mainly in the Kent area but is also understood to have had consulting rooms in Harley Street.
While he has declined to comment on the allegations made against him by former patients, both in British newspapers and on British television, the former gynaecologist indicated at the weekend that he is considering whether to issue a statement on the matter.
"I am perfectly happy here. This is my home now and I hope to stay here," he said.
The first complaint of malpractice against Mr Ledward was made in 1982, but he was not struck off by the British General Medical Council until 1998. On Friday a report was published by an independent trust of the National Health Service in Britain, seeking to establish the extent of the claims outstanding against the consultant and further seeking to determine why he was allowed to continue practising for so long.