Misdiagnosed garda dies

A GARDA superintendent whose doctor failed to pass on test results and who subsequently developed terminal cancer has died.

Superintendent Martin Dorney, 51, of Ballinora, Waterfall, Co Cork, passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning, exactly six months after he told a Medical Council inquiry he had “six to nine months” to live.

His GP, Dr Patrick Lee, suspended from practising medicine for six months, conceded to the inquiry in July that he had tried to cover up his negligence by altering a biopsy report.

The 2003 report, which Dr Lee did not fully read, had recommended further surgery following the removal of a mole from Supt Dorney’s knee.

Dr Lee did not see this recommendation until Supt Dorney came to him with a diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma in 2009. He then altered the report in an attempt to cover up his error but confessed when Supt Dorney and his wife Pauline pursued the matter. A High Court action taken by Supt Dorney against Dr Lee was settled out of court in November.

Yesterday, his garda colleagues paid tribute to him. Superintendent Flor Horan, who had worked with Supt Dorney since 1998, described him as “a real professional, 100% committed to the job”. Supt Horan said his former colleague was “above all, a family man”.

“He was very proud of each and every one of his children, his two daughters, Aisleigh and Niamh and his son Ciarán. We would like to offer our sympathy to them and to his wife Pauline. His passing is a huge loss.”

Supt Dorney was originally from Skeheenarinky near the Cork/ Tipperary border. His boss, Chief Superintendent Tom Hayes, said that he was “an extremely dedicated garda” and “very conscientious”.

Supt Dorney’s removal will take place at 5pm today from O’Connor’s Funeral Home in Wilton to St James’s Church in Ballinora, Waterfall.

Burial will take place on Monday at St Oliver’s Cemetery, Model Farm Rd, following 11am Mass.