State investigation into vaccine trials under threat

THE State investigation into vaccine trials is under threat after a retired microbiologist successfully challenged an order to give evidence of his involvement.

Professor Patrick Meenan, 86, was involved in vaccine trials carried out on 58 children in five institutions run by the religious in the 1960s.

The former professor at University College Dublin won his Supreme Court challenge to a High Court order requiring him to give evidence to the Laffoy Commission. Professor Meenan claimed that he should not have to appear before the commission on grounds of his age and ill health.