THE MAN on trial for obtaining over €80,000 from cancer patients and their relatives by deception is being sued by the widow of one of the dead patients for aggravated damages in the civil courts.
At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Pat Marrinan SC, counsel for Paschal Carmody, said Bernadette Gallagher was suing his client for a substantial amount as she was seeking damages, aggravated damages and exemplary damages in the civil courts.
Mr Carmody (60), Ballycuggaran, Killaloe, Co Clare, denies 25 separate charges of obtaining €80,172 from six cancer patients and their families by deception between September 2001 and October 2002.
Yesterday Mrs Gallagher, Kingswood, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, said she never thought it would get this far in the criminal court.
Her husband JJ Gallagher died of cancer on September 3rd, 2002. He underwent photodynamic (PDT) treatment at Mr Carmody’s East Clinic in Killaloe, Co Clare, in February 2002. The court heard Dr Bill Porter administered the treatment, and Mr Marrinan told Mrs Gallagher yesterday “Dr Porter left the jurisdiction in 2004 and that there is nobody to sue but Paschal Carmody”.
Mrs Gallagher said: “I haven’t stopped looking for Bill Porter.” She said: “JJ is dead, and everyone else who had this treatment.”
Mr Marrinan said Mr Carmody will deny administering a drip to Mr Gallagher prior to his PDT treatment, deny stating he would be cured and deny having a conversation with Mrs Gallagher and her sons that the cancer would be destroyed. The trial continues.