Doctor’s claims left unchallenged in article

YOUR article on Dr James Barry was a poor example of balanced journalism (Irish Examiner, April 21).

Reproduced from the Irish Medical Times, the article provided Dr Barry with a convenient soap box and failed to challenge any of his outlandish claims.

The following serve as examples of issues which the journalist failed to raise: Dr Barry is quoted as saying he is “totally exonerated”. The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) simply found there had been a breach of Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) — ie, there was a failure to complete his criminal trial within a reasonable time. This has nothing do with his guilt or innocence.

There are question marks over the ruling of the Circuit Court judge in putting a stay on proceedings. The ECtHR has no right to interfere in an ongoing domestic criminal trial. It may only find that a state is in violation of the Convention and award damages if necessary. This is clearly established in the jurisprudence and rules of the ECtHR. The ECtHR does not act as a kind of European Supreme Court but as a human rights watchdog which records violation of the ECHR. Therefore, the Circuit Court judge may not have been obliged to put a stay on proceedings. The journalist in question failed to even raise this point.

Dr Barry claims the recordings (which he admits he made without permission) were for a “PhD in Europe”. What are we to infer from that? Dr Barry was not even asked to name the institution. Surely if he was serious about obtaining his doctorate, he would at least have a university in mind? Was the journalist not even curious as to where he was going to pursue this degree? Why did he not request some basic proof of the bona fides of this claim — eg, evidence of communication between the doctor and the university? Considering the seriousness of the allegations, the controversial nature of the legal proceedings at hand, and the potential for hurt to those involved, the failure of the Irish Examiner, and the journalist in question, to examine any of the above examples is disappointing.

Pól Seoirse O’Conaing

Corrán Thailte na Darach

Bóthar an Ghoirt Ard

Ráth Gharbh

Baile Átha Cliath 6