High Court upholds decision to strike off doctor

The High Court has confirmed the decision of the Irish Medical Council to strike the consultant obstetrician Dr Michael Neary from its register.

The President of the High Court approved the matter during a short hearing this morning.

Dr Neary was found guilty of professional misconduct by the doctors' body arising from the removal of the wombs of 10 patients. Around 60 women are due to take legal action against the consultant for allegedly removing their wombs unnecessarily.

The Irish Medical Council has also decided to refer all information it has on the matter to the Garda, a decision that has been welcomed by the group representing those women who allegedly suffered such operations.

Representatives from the Medical Council are to meet the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, later today to discuss issues connected with the case.

Mr Martin is expected to be urged to establish an inquiry to explore "the context of the tragic events at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth".

Other issues to be discussed include the council's call for "long overdue" reform of the Medical Practitioners' Act 1978 to secure speedier inquiries in fitness to practise cases.

Accountability within the medical profession will also be discussed.

Following a three-year investigation into the allegations against him, the Irish Medical Council's Fitness to Practise Committee on July 29th found Dr Neary had committed professional misconduct and struck him off the medical register.

Dr Neary has not appealed against the decision.