A doctor was "oppressed psychologically" after the Garda decided in October, 1997 to prefer 237 charges of sexual and indecent assault against him regarding 43 of his female patients, the High Court was told yesterday.
Mr John White SC, for Dr James Barry, of Lauriston, Glanmire, Co Cork, said the simultaneous bringing of 237 charges against Dr Barry was for the purpose of bringing overwhelming psychological pressure on the doctor. That had not been denied by the prosecution.
Counsel also alleged that, when the first complaints were made in the mid-1990s, gardaí stationed at Anglesea Street station in Cork had fanned publicity by confirming the complaints to the media. In this case, gardaí had overstepped the mark in terms of fairness and had engaged in conduct oppressive to his client.
Mr White was making submissions in an action in which Dr Barry is seeking to prevent the Director of Public Prosecutions from taking further steps to prosecute him on the 237 charges.