Minister bans state pathologist from TV

JUSTICE Minister Brian Lenihan has moved to silence State Pathologist Marie Cassidy by banning her involvement in future documentaries following complaints over an RTÉ programme which featured the Scottish-born professor.

Controversy erupted after the transmission of the Death Duties documentary in January.

The family of the late Brian Murphy, who was kicked to death outside a Dublin nightclub eight years ago, criticised the production.

Denis and Mary Murphy strongly opposed the way their son’s death was portrayed. The couple objected to coverage of Brian’s death by Prof Cassidy because her opinion on the cause of death had been rejected by Dublin City Coroner Brian Farrell, they claimed.

Prof Cassidy and her predecessor Prof Harbison had initially reached different conclusions on his killing.

Mr Lenihan has now decided any similar documentary involving Prof Cassidy and her work will not be permitted in future.

Responding to a parliamentary question this week, the minister said his department had been assured by the production company behind the programme that next-of-kin, where individual cases featured, were contacted beforehand.

But he added: “In one such instance, and shortly before broadcast, one of the families in question did contact the department expressing dissatisfaction with the extent to which their concerns had been taken on board by the production company.

“I do not envisage a programme of this character being facilitated in future,” revealed the minister.

Mr Lenihan’s spokesperson last night confirmed that Prof Cassidy, an employee of his department, would not be participating in a similar programme in future.

Sources in the department say the minister had concerns over editorial decisions taken by the programme-makers.

It is also understood the state pathologist’s office and department officials have been in touch several times about issues and the programme since it was transmitted in January.

Her office has also been made aware of the minister’s decision.

Prof Cassidy’s office yesterday said she could not comment on the matter.

RTÉ insisted it had edited the programme to address complaints.

Fine Gael’s Charlie Flanagan, who asked the parliamentary question, said strict regulations were needed when state employees who handle sensitive material appeared in documentaries.