Cork sexual assault doctor back in court

Doctor James Barry was back in Cork District Court today to face over 200 sexual assault charges arising out of complaints by 38 former patients at his general practice in the city.

Doctor Barry (aged 79), who conducted his practice at Sidney Place, Wellington Road, Cork, and now lives at Lauriston Lodge, Glanmire, Co Cork, faces the prospect of trial by judge and jury on the charges in 2005.

The charges relate to a period spanning from 1966 to 1995. Dr Barry’s solicitor complained today that proceedings against him were unduly delayed.

Judge Con O’Leary reminded him that he was the one who brought judicial review proceedings to the High Court and Supreme Court and that this accounted for the bulk of the seven-year delay in the case.

The charges against Dr Barry were last before Cork District Court in 1997.

At that stage the defendant obtained a stay against the Director of Public Prosecutions in proceeding against him until the judical review proceedings were concluded.

The High Court ruled against Dr Barry’s application and the Supreme Court also found against the application for a stay when the matter was appealed.

David O’Mahony, solicitor for Dr Barry, complained of delay by the DPP and wanted to know why it had taken from last December for the DPP to bring the matter back to Cork District Court as the Supreme Court finalised the matter a year ago.

Inspector Michael Comyns, who dealt with the investigation from day one, said that they had to go back to all 42 women who made complaints of sexual or indecent assault against the defendant to see if they all wanted to go ahead with their complaints given the amount of time that had passed.

Twenty-five charges relating to complaints by four women were withdrawn. That leaves 212 charges arising out of complaints by 38 women.

Judge Con O’Leary agreed to an application by Inspector Tom Hayes to adjourn the case to January 19 at Cork District Court for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Dr Barry was remanded on continuing bail until then.