Consultant to investigate McElwee case

The Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Midlands has appointed an independent management consultant to investigate the Dr Niall…

The Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Midlands has appointed an independent management consultant to investigate the Dr Niall McElwee case.

Conal Devine, a former director of industrial relations at the Irish Medical Organisation, will begin his work immediately. The HSE said his findings will be "made public subject to any legal restrictions".

Dr McElwee, a high-profile author and lecturer on child protection issues, resigned his position at Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) last week after it emerged he had been convicted of attempted indecent assault on teenage girls in a hotel in Amsterdam in 2004. He was head of the Centre for Child and Youth Care at AIT.

The Amsterdam trip was commissioned and funded by the Midland Health Board under the auspices of the Regional Drugs Task Force. Those on the trip, including McElwee, were there to study addiction and treatment in relation to illegal drugs.

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A Garda sergeant on the trip, who was not present when McElwee was involved in inappropriate sexual advances to a group of young American female students in their hotel room, reported the matter to the Irish authorities on his return.

The HSE said it would also bring in additional independent child protection experts from outside the jurisdiction to assist Mr Devine in his inquiry. The inquiry will report back to the assistant national director of Primary Community and Continuing Care services in the HSE's Dublin Mid-Leinster Area.

Minister for Children Brendan Smith welcomed Mr Devine's appointment by the HSE. He said Mr Devine would begin his work "without delay".

"He has considerable experience in conducting reviews and investigations in child protection and the health sector. He will be supported by child protection expertise from outside the jurisdiction," the Minister said in a statement.

He said the events surrounding Dr McElwee have clearly raised very serious concerns. "In the interests of public confidence and most importantly for the safety of our children, I have told the HSE that I expect Mr Devine to complete his investigation in the shortest possible time frame."