PASCHAL CARMODY told a terminally-ill cancer patient that it was his mission in life to find a cure for cancer for the people of Ireland.
At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Bernadette Gallagher recounted the first meeting she and her late husband JJ had with Mr Carmody in January 2001 when Mr Carmody told the Gallaghers they had hit on "a miracle cure" for cancer at the East Clinic in Killaloe, Co Clare.
Visibly upset in the witness box, Ms Gallagher said Mr Carmody said that when people find out about his treatment for cancer "it will be like the days of Lazarus. They will be banging down the doors."
Mr Gallagher was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2000 and had his stomach, spleen, pancreas and a third of his liver removed.
However, the cancer returned and Mr Gallagher underwent chemotherapy in 2001. Ms Gallagher said that in January 2002 she went to the East Clinic for an allergy test. She said she was quite emotional after all her husband had been through and Mr Carmody asked her what was wrong. Ms Gallagher outlined her husband's battle with cancer and she said Mr Carmody said "it was a shame in the first place that you didn't hear that we've hit on a miraculous or miracle cure here".
She said Mr Carmody said he was against chemotherapy and that if any of his family got cancer, he wouldn't allow them to undergo chemotherapy. Ms Gallagher said Mr Carmody had a non-invasive treatment with no side effects.
The Gallaghers asked where would the cancer go and Mr Carmody said that it would disperse, citing one patient who had cancer of the oesophagus who actually coughed, vomited or spat out the cancer.
She said after hearing of all the details "J said to Mr Carmody 'sounds like magic?' and Mr Carmody said: "Yes, just like magic."
Ms Gallagher said: "We thought it was too good to be true." Mr Carmody said that they would see "living proof" when they would meet Bill Porter and his wife, Maggie, who had been cured of breast cancer.
The Gallaghers met with the Porters. Ms Gallagher said: "Maggie Porter told us that only for Paschal Carmody, she would not be able to be around. J couldn't wait to be treated. He only wanted to be better."
The case continues.
