Carmody retrial move halted

AN application by the state to have a retrial of former Killaloe doctor Paschal Carmody transferred to Dublin was yesterday halted at Limerick Circuit Court pending the outcome of a High Court challenge.

Judge Carroll Moran was informed the former doctor, who is accused of defrauding terminally ill patients, has been given leave to seek a judicial review of the DPP’s decision to proceed with a retrial on 11 charges.

The 60-year-old, with an address Ballycuggeran in Killaloe, was cleared by a jury last July of 14 counts of false pretences and deception following a five-week trial. The jury at Ennis Circuit Court failed to agree on 11 other charges.

Mr Carmody claims the absence of a crucial witness, who died a month prior to his July trial, breaches his constitutional right to a fair trial.

Judge Moran adjourned the case for mention at Ennis Circuit Court on January 12.