Organ doctor under fire

FAMILIES affected by the organ retention scandal have criticised a doctor who admitted keeping organs of stillbirths without consent after 2000.

A Health Service Executive-commissioned report found the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin had 118 organs still awaiting examination between 2000 and 2007 without parental consent.

Dr John Gillan, a consultant pathologist at the maternity hospital, who identified himself as “Consultant A” in the report, said reduced consultant cover for postmortem exam practice meant that he had to work alone for long periods.