Doctor cleared of sexual assault at Waterford clinic
- Dignity 4Patients
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
By RTÉ News- 22/04/2026- [Waterford, Ireland]
A male doctor who was alleged to have sexually assaulted a female patient during a medical examination in Co Waterford has been found not guilty.
The jury of five men and seven women returned the majority verdict following a five-day trial at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court.
It was alleged by the complainant that, on 17 April 2020, she attended an appointment at a clinic to treat pain in her foot.
After waiting in reception, she was called into a room by the doctor and was asked to lay down on a bench so that he could inspect her foot.
The woman alleged that he began rubbing her inner thigh and grabbed and squeezed her breast.
During the course of the trial, the jury heard evidence from the complainant, her partner, her friend, the receptionist of the clinic, and investigating gardaí.
It was also provided with a memo of the interview that the defendant gave to gardaí following his arrest in 2020.
The complainant told the jury that after the alleged incident, the doctor said to her: "Well, you have a warm heart anyway," and continued with the examination of her foot.
Her partner and friend said that she informed them directly after leaving the clinic.
During his interview with gardaí in 2020, the defendant categorically denied the allegations made against him, saying he would not "jeopardise" his career in such "a wreckless way".
He said that he sees approximately 20 patients per day at his clinic and has no specific recollection of having an appointment with the patient in April 2020.
On the penultimate day of the trial, the receptionist, who worked at the clinic in 2020, also told the jury that she had no particular memory of the complainant appearing at the clinic on that date.
The jury deliberated for approximately three hours and 40 minutes before returning the not guilty of sexual assault verdict.
The case before Judge Eugene O'Kelly was heard in camera.
Names and specific locations cannot be reported to protect the identity of the parties involved.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: This case highlights how complex and emotionally charged allegations arising from medical examinations can be.
For the patient, the experience can be deeply traumatic, not only the alleged incident itself, but the scrutiny of their reactions, messages, and behaviour afterwards.
For the doctor, the impact of an allegation alone can be life-altering, regardless of the outcome, affecting reputation, career, and mental wellbeing.
At the heart of all of this is trust.
Patients place enormous trust in healthcare professionals during vulnerable moments.
Doctors, in turn, rely on honesty and cooperation to provide care safely and effectively.
This is why safeguards matter. Ultimately, these cases remind us how vital respect, clear communication, and professional boundaries are in every clinical interaction, not just for care, but for trust.
Safeguards don't replace trust, they make it possible.
