High Court to rule today on midwife

The High Court will rule today on an application by a Co Dublin midwife for a judicial review of a decision by An Board Altranais…

The High Court will rule today on an application by a Co Dublin midwife for a judicial review of a decision by An Board Altranais, the Nursing Board, to proceed with an inquiry into three complaints made against her. Mr Justice Smyth will give his ruling today on the application made yesterday, by Ms Ann O Ceallaigh.Ms O Ceallaigh, a self-employed domiciliary midwife, of Temple Crescent, Blackrock, Co Dublin, was given permission by the High Court last Friday to provide midwifery services to 14 pregnant women in their homes.The order had modified an earlier court decision granted in favour of An Board Altranais. It restrained Ms O Ceallaigh from practising as a nurse pending the outcome of a displicinary inquiry.Ms O Ceallaigh claims the inquiry is into allegations by nursing and medical executives in the Rotunda and Holles Street maternity hospitals.Yesterday Mr Michael Forde SC, for Ms O Ceallaigh, applied for a judicial review of the board's decision to refer three complaints against his client to the its Fitness to Practise Committee.The application was heard in camera by Mr Justice Smyth.