THE SUPREME Court has unanimously rejected claims by a domiciliary midwife of objective bias by an inquiry into allegations of professional misconduct against her. The inquiry arose from 19 complaints by a client.
The dismissal of the claims means the inquiry by a Bord Altranais (Nursing Board) committee into Ann O Ceallaigh, (above), Temple Crescent, Blackrock, Co Dublin, may proceed. It has been on hold since the challenge was made in July 2009. Ms O Ceallaigh had also agreed not to practise for the present. She alleged objective bias on grounds of the professional relationship between the committee’s chairwoman, Pauline Treanor, who was general manager of Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital, and an expert midwife witness, Fiona Hanrahan, assistant director of nursing and midwifery at the Rotunda.
Mr Justice Nial Fennelly said there was no evidence either Ms Treanor or Ms Hanrahan had any interest in the outcome “other than of upholding proper professional standards”. The Rotunda was not involved in the particular case, he added.
Photograph: Collins Courts
