A Co Clare doctor has been found guilty by the Medical Council of professional misconduct. Dr Paschal Carmody was found guilty after a full inquiry by the Medical Council's Fitness to Practise Committee, The Irish Times has learned.
A full meeting of the Medical Council decided in recent days to endorse its committee's decision that he be found guilty.
Furthermore, the council decided Dr Carmody's name should be struck off the medical register. It is expected the council will go to the High Court in coming days seeking confirmation of the order.
Dr Carmody could not be contacted for comment last night, but he will be entitled to appeal the ruling.
Several complaints were made to the council about Dr Carmody by former patients and families of former patients.
Last July, after the Fitness to Practise Committee began its investigation, the Medical Council decided to go to the High Court to have the doctor's name temporarily suspended from the medical register. It has powers to seek such an order where it is satisfied that it would be in the public interest to do so.
Dr Carmody, of Tinarana House, Ogonnelloe, Killaloe, was fined over €9,000 at Killaloe District Court in January 2003 after pleading guilty to 12 charges relating to the manufacture and supply of unauthorised medicines between November 1999 and June 2000. The prosecution was brought by the Irish Medicines Board.
When asked about its decision last evening, the president of the Medical Council, Prof Gerard Bury, said he was unable to comment.
"In any disciplinary case the matter goes to the courts, and its only when this is concluded that we can make a comment."
Dr Carmody, who has been practising both conventional and alternative medicine, will be unable to continue his medical practice if the High Court upholds the Medical Council's decision. However, his practice in alternative medicine will not be affected by the council's decision.