The Garda Síochána will today begin examining a report on the former Drogheda consultant obstetrician Dr Michael Neary submitted to it by the Medical Council on Friday.
In a statement issued late on Saturday, the Garda said the report of the Medical Council's Fitness to Practise Committee (FTPC) would be examined "to determine what action is required".
A summary of the report, which found Dr Neary guilty of professional misconduct over the removal of the wombs of 10 of his patients, was published on Thursday.
Dr Neary has been struck off the medical register, barring him from practising medicine. He practised at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, from 1974 to 1998. More than 60 legal actions are pending against him and the hospital arising from allegations about his practice, with many of the women alleging he unnecessarily removed their wombs.
The Garda press office could not say yesterday who would lead its inquiry into Dr Neary or whether the inquiry would be based in Drogheda or Dublin. Those questioned by the Medical Council's FTPC are likely to be interviewed again by gardaí, who will also interview staff who worked with Dr Neary. Their inquiries could take a considerable time.
The Medical Council decided to hand the report on Dr Neary over to the Garda after it sought legal advice on whether or not it could refer it to the DPP. It was advised this route was not available to it.
Meanwhile, members of the North Eastern Health Board will seek to have the report discussed at its meeting in two weeks.