The president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Dr John Murphy has resigned from his post following Medical Council criticism of his role in the Neary case.
Dr Murphy was one of three obstetricians who prepared reports in 1998 exonerating the practice of Dr Michael Neary.
Dr John Murphy
Dr Murphy, Prof Walter Prendiville and Dr Bernard Stuart prepared the reports in November 1998 at the urgent request of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA).
They reviewed nine cases of patients who had undergone emergency Caesarean hysterectomies at the hands of Dr Neary. The cases were selected for them by Dr Neary.
They found he had no case to answer, even though it emerged later that he was unnecessarily removing patients' wombs.
In a statement today, Dr Murphy said that, while he had always acted "with honesty and integrity", he was stepping down to protect the reputation of the RCPII.
"As President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, I lead an organisation which is absolutely committed to setting and maintaining professional standards for doctors. I have always endeavoured to act with honesty and integrity in my own professional life as an obstetrician and gynaecologist.
Prof John F Murphy
"Nevertheless, I now believe that I cannot allow the recent findings of the Medical Council against me to compromise in any way the reputation of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
"I have, therefore, resigned as president. I shall not be making any further statements on this matter," he concluded.
In his report Dr Murphy, then a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin, said that it was his conclusion that Dr Neary should continue to work in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital pending any formal investigation.
"It would be wrong to put restrictions on his practice and it is my view that the mothers of the North Eastern Health Board are fortunate in having the service of such an experienced and caring obstetrician," he wrote.
Dr Murphy wrote: "It is my conclusion that Dr Neary has no case to answer concerning his management of any of the patients in question."