Club Anabel case - Inquest is best way to allay worries

THE public can be forgiven for harbouring feelings of confusion amid the continuing controversy over the collapse of the trial of Dermot Laide for the manslaughter of Brian Murphy.

With eminent medical experts differing fundamentally over the cause of Mr Murphy’s death, there is urgent need to bring greater clarity to questions which, unless they are answered, will leave a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the conduct of forensic medics.

At issue is the head-on clash of opinion between State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy and consultant chemical pathologist Dr Bill Tormey on whether, as Dr Cassidy claimed, the “most likely” cause of the 18-year-old’s death was alcohol induced apnoea resulting in a cessation of breathing.