Midwife loses court challenge to inquiry

A midwife has lost a Supreme Court challenge to an inquiry by An Bord Altranais into allegations of professional misconduct against her.

Ann O'Ceallaigh, with an address at Temple Crescent, Blackrock, Co Dublin was under investigation by the board's Fitness to Practice Committee in relation to a home birth in 2007 following which the baby died.

It has never been alleged that Ms O'Ceallaigh was responsible for the infant's death.

However the board's investigation was prompted by concerns raised by the Coombe Maternity Hospital about the management of the mother's labour.

In this action Ms O'Ceallaigh accused the chairperson of the Committee Pauline Traenor of objective bias, because she and the principal expert witness both work at the Rotunda Hospital.

Having previously lost her action in the High Court, the Supreme Court today dismissed her appeal as it was unable to discern any ground that would suggest Ms Traenor would not approach her task with a proper independent and impartial mind.