Haughey is cognitively impaired, says expert

A London-based neurologist who examined former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey (75) found he was "cognitively impaired" to an extent which had implications for the Moriarty tribunal, The Irish Times has learned.

The report from London-based Prof Martin Rossor was commissioned by the tribunal following an earlier report from urologist Mr Gordon Williams, who examined Mr Haughey's cancer of the prostate gland.

Mr Williams, who was also commissioned by the tribunal, developed concerns about Mr Haughey and recommended he be seen by a neurologist.

It is understood he made his view that Mr Haughey was fit to give evidence dependent on support from the neurologist.

Prof Rossor found that Mr Haughey was cognitively impaired but that there was no reason he should not continue to attend the tribunal if he so wished.

It is not known if the impairment was considered to be due to age or other factors.

The tribunal was told by the two London experts that Mr Haughey should not give evidence for more than one hour per day and that the evidence should be given in private.

It was felt that having to appear in public was significantly exacerbating the medical conditions from which Mr Haughey is suffering.

The reports drafted by the London experts are now being considered by Mr Haughey's medical team.

When the tribunal sits again, most likely next week, the views of Mr Haughey's medical team are likely to be revealed during a submission from the former Taoiseach's lawyers.

If Mr Haughey's medical advisers are still strongly of the view that their client should not give evidence, even in private, Mr Justice Moriarty will have to decide whether he intends to persist in issuing an order that Mr Haughey give evidence.

According to legal sources, the only course of action which would then be open to Mr Haughey would be to seek a judicial review.

Mr Williams, a consultant urologist at Hammersmith Hospital, London, is an expert on prostate cancer and male impotence. He is also an expert in creating new bladders out of sections of the intestine.

Prof Rossor is a consultant at St Mary's Hospital, London, who specialises in Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and conditions affecting powers of memory. He is a member of the Dementia Research Group, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London.

Mr Haughey's own team includes Mr Peter McLean, a consultant urologist with the Mater Private Hospital, and senior figures from the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York.