Former maternity hospital master says public inquiry into Savita death would be wrong choice

The former Master of the National Maternity Hospital says a public inquiry into the death of Savita Halappanavar would be the wrong way to go.

Consultant Obstetrician Peter Boylan says information could come out in a fragmented manner and would be open to misinterpretation if an investigation is carried out in public.

He has also defended the Chairman of the HSE review team, Professor Alkumaran, whom he knows personally, saying he is completely independent and objective.

Dr Boylan says a private investigation is the best option: “It’s much better to get the whole picture, get all the facts in a private environment outside the scrutiny of the media and ill-informed commentary.

“Then present the final report, when all the facts have been analysed, everybody appropriate has been interviewed and a proper report has been compiled.”