The former Drogheda obstetrician Dr Michael Neary has attended in person to give evidence at the Lourdes hospital inquiry, The Irish Times has learned.
The struck-off doctor, who was found guilty of professional misconduct in 2003 over the unnecessary removal of the wombs of 10 women, gave evidence to the inquiry over two days last month.
His attendance at the inquiry was believed unlikely given that the inquiry, chaired by Judge Maureen Harding Clark, was set up on a non-statutory basis.
However, a number of sources have confirmed he accepted an invitation from Judge Harding Clarke to attend the final sittings of her inquiry in recent days and reply to issues which had been raised over the course of the inquiry by a number of witnesses.
Up to 200 people are understood to have given evidence to the inquiry, which was established last year to inquire into how so many Caesarean hysterectomies were performed in the maternity unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda without this being picked up, commented upon, or investigated.
It was also asked to inquire into how patient files went missing from the hospital. A separate investigation by gardaí into the missing files has resulted in a file being sent to the DPP.
Minister for Health Mary Harney had been expecting to receive Judge Harding Clark's report by the end of June. However, the report has been delayed as a result of Dr Neary attending.
A spokesman for Ms Harney said yesterday the report was expected "shortly". It is expected to be delivered to her before the end of this month.
Ms Harney is due to consider it and meet with Patient Focus, the group representing women damaged by Dr Neary, before publishing it. A spokeswoman for Patient Focus said she was very pleased to learn Dr Neary had given evidence.