Council censures former GAA team doctor over trying to forge will

A former GAA team doctor facing allegations relating to a conviction concerning the forging of an elderly publican’s will was yesterday found guilty of professional misconduct at a disciplinary inquiry at the Medical Council in Dublin.

Dr James Cassidy, who works as a GP in Dundalk, Co Louth, faced allegations relating to a conviction in Northern Ireland.

He told the inquiry that in May 2009, he applied for registration to the Medical Council of Ireland and admitted that he failed to tell the Council about a previous conviction in Northern Ireland which related to a road traffic matter.

In addition, the Medical Council heard that in June 2014 at Newry Crown Court Dr Cassidy was convicted with others of attempting to falsify the will of Catherine Haughey, and a property sale agreement.

South Armagh publican Ms Haughey, who was a widow and childless, died in 2004 at the age of 81. Concerns about her will were raised shortly after her death.

The inquiry heard that the matters relating to the forged will took place in 2004. An investigation was conducted between 2004 and 2010 and Dr Cassidy was then convicted in 2014. He pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in connection with the €1.9m will, and received a two-year suspended sentence. The allegation that Dr Cassidy was convicted outside the State for an offence that, if committed in this State, would constitute an offence triable on indictment was also proven yesterday at the inquiry.

Dr Cassidy, 63, and father to four grown daughters, said: “My children and wife have had to undergo considerable embarrassment in their own lives as a result of my actions.”

When asked how he felt about his participation in the matters relating to his conviction, Dr Cassidy replied: “I can only say shame, first of all to my family, [and] to my profession.

“It’s not very nice at this stage in your life to accept that you did something hugely irresponsible.”

He told the inquiry that in relation to the matters in 2004, he felt under extreme duress and threat. He further explained that a man, who was yesterday referred to as ‘Mr A’ and who was a patient and acquaintance of his, made threats against himself and his family, and that the threats were made within the geo-political context of the area.

Dr Cassidy, whose children were in school at the time, said that the threat was real and that any father would have put concerns for his family above concerns for himself.

“I was trapped in this situation,” he said. “I made what was undoubtedly the wrong choice but that’s the reason why I did that.”

He said he believed that Mr A “was not at liberty” at the present time.

Dr Cassidy told the inquiry that in 2004 and before that, he did have a problem with alcohol. “I drank too much and too regular,” he said, adding he now has the problem under control.

Dr Cassidy said he has operated a private sole practice as a GP for a number of years, and that there have never been any clinical complaints against him.

He asked that he not be suspended from the medical register. Sanctions will be determined at a later date.

During a break in proceedings Dr Cassidy, a former Tyrone GAA doctor, appeared to throw a punch in the direction of a photographer, striking a camera. Gardaí later took statements from witnesses.