Sir, - The Irish Times gave Dr Bill Tormey enough rope and he seems to have made the traditional use of it. In his article he gives full details on what action he has taken on Dr Paddy Leahy's answers in press interviews to questions on voluntary euthanasia in certain cases and his medical care of a pregnant child.
Dr Tormey made a formal complaint to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He then made a formal complaint to the Medical Council, Fitness to Practice Committee. He then discussed Dr Paddy Leahy with gardai from the Harcourt Square station. The DPP did not prosecute. The Medical Council took no action. Dr Tormey says their letter told him that "my complaints against Dr Leahy do not come within their rem it." Oh? Why is that? Because they only investigate "conduct which doctors of experience, competence and good repute consider disgraceful or dishonourable." The gardai took no action. Why? Because Dr Tormey says he told them he was withdrawing the complaint because of Dr Leahy's "venerable age". That is not possible, because you see, sir, it is the gardai and not Dr Tormey who would make the decision on whether or not to continue an investigation of the matter of an alleged killer on the loose. After a lifetime doing - among other things - honorary liaison bellhop, telephonist and soothsayer to a gardai/garda medical officer relationship in a busy area it is not difficult to picture an astute garda sergeant sucking his side tooth silently as he considers a suggestion that he should send a posse out to put the cuffs on Paddy Leahy.
Dr Bill Tormey says the views of Dr Paddy Leahy leave "a large question mark, in my mind, over his judgment".
Given the above saga - and the decision to publish it in The Irish Times - would it be unreasonable to suggest that an even bigger question mark might be put over the judgment of Dr Bill Tormey? - Yours, etc.,
Abbeyfield House,
Wicklow Town.