The chief consultant psychiatrist at St Senan's Hospital, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, has been given a temporary High Court injunction which restrains the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board from continuing an investigation into his alleged "actions".
Dr Geoffrey O'Donoghue, Leopardstown Valley, Dublin, was yesterday granted the interim order to last until the hearing of a judicial review application which he has brought against the health board or until further order.
Mr Brian O'Moore SC said there had been a dispute between Dr O'Donoghue and another consultant psychiatrist, Dr Liam Watters. Matters reached a peak on January 3rd this year when Dr O'Donoghue claimed he was verbally abused, threatened and physically assaulted by Dr Watters. Dr Watters had denied Dr O'Donoghue's claims.
Dr O'Donoghue in an affidavit said he made a formal complaint and was told two regional managers would investigate and report to the chief executive officer, Mr Pat McLoughlin.
It was his understanding that the investigating team was convened to investigate his complaints against Dr Watters. It was unreasonable and oppressive that the health board now purported to base a decision to place him on "compulsory administrative leave on the very fact of my having made the complaint which led to the said investigation".
Mr Justice O'Donovan granted Dr O'Donoghue leave to apply for a judicial review of his suspension and an interim injunction which restrains Mr McLoughlin from continuing his investigation .