O'Donoghue v The Veterinary Council

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Judgment Date: 01 January 1975
• Date: 01 January 1975
• Docket Number: [1974 No. 21 P]
• Court: High Court

(H.C.)

O'Donoghue

and

The Veterinary Council

Professional discipline - Inquiry - Member of professional council acting as complainant - Member also adjudicating upon conduct of accused - Decision of council set aside - Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1931 (No. 36), s. 36.

A committee of the respondent council held an inquiry during which they investigated the conduct of the petitioner, a veterinary surgeon, and reported thereon to the respondent council. Having considered the report, the respondent council found that the petitioner had been guilty of conduct disgraceful to him in a professional respect, and the council decided that for a period of six months the registration of the petitioner's name on a register of veterinary surgeons should not have any effect. A member of the respondent council had allowed his name to be used as complainant at the inquiry held by the committee, and the same member had been one of the group of members of the respondent council which had considered the committee's report and had made the decision affecting the registration of the petitioner's name. On appeal by the petitioner to the High Court, it was Held by Kenny...