Medical Council takes appeal to Supreme Court in paediatrician's case

The Supreme Court has begun hearing an urgent appeal by the Medical Council in relation to a quashed finding of poor professional performance against a well known consultant paediatrician.

Professor Martin Corbally was investigated by a fitness to practice committee after an incorrect 'tongue-tie' procedure but was exonerated by the High Court.

The Medical Council made a finding of poor professional performance against Prof Martin Corbally after a two-year-old patient underwent an unnecessary 'tongue-tie' procedure at Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin in April 2010.

Professor Corbally did not carry out the operation and the finding against him was quashed by High Court President Nicholas Kearns who found he'd effectively been blamed for systems failures at the hospital.

The Medical Council is challenging the High Court ruling - a key issue on appeal is the meaning of "poor professional performance" as defined under the 2007 Medical Practitioner's Act.

The Medical Council wants the meaning clarified because it effects how it regulates thousands of healthcare professionals which is why this appeal has been given priority.