Victims' group to demand inquiry into Neary

A group representing women treated by the obstetrician struck off for professional misconduct has begun a meeting with the Minister…

A group representing women treated by the obstetrician struck off for professional misconduct has begun a meeting with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.

Patient Focus is demanding a statutory investigation into the events at a Drogheda hospital where Dr Michael Neary unnecessarily removed the wombs of a number of women.

The group claims that complaints made by patients were not followed up. Representatives have asked Mr Martin to set up an inquiry where nurses, doctors and management would be publicly questioned.

Dr Neary was struck off the medical register earlier this year after the Irish Medical Council found him guilty of misconduct in 10 cases.

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More than 60 women he treated at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda during the 1980s and 1990s claim he unnecessarily removed their wombs.

Recently the High Court upheld a damages award of €270,000 for negligence against him to Mr Alison Gough, from Ardee, Co Louth. Ms Gough's womb was removed by Dr Neary after the birth of her son.

A spokeswoman for the Minister said the meeting was expected to last about one-and-a-half hours but could not confirm if Mr Martin would be making a statement afterwards.