Dr Eireann Kerr has dropped her appeal against her conviction for assaulting police
A DOCTOR who worked at Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital has dramatically dropped her appeal against her conviction for assaulting police.
In April this year, Dr Eireann Kerr was found guilty of the charge at Derry Magistrates’ Court.
The judge told Dr Kerr at the time that the spiking of her drink was not a defence in law and gave her a two month conditional discharge.
However, her defence lawyer told the county court in Derry today that there would not now be an appeal against the conviction.
As a result of accepting her criminal conviction, Dr Kerr could not face disciplinary proceedings by her peers on the General Medical Council.
Any sanction by the GMC could affect her ability to practice as a doctor.
The court case sparked controversy at the time.
A public petition was launched to clear her name after she claimed she was drugged with the date rape narcotic rohypnol.
Dr Kerr said she did not remember anything about what happened at the Christmas Party in December 2013, saying she was horrified when shown CCTV footage from Strand Road barracks.
She said she is just grateful that the stranger who spiked her drink never got to carry out his plans.
Dr John Doherty, a consultant anaesthetist who has previously worked with Dr Kerr, launched a petition calling for the conviction to be quashed.
In his petition Dr Doherty said: “Dr Eireann Kerr was the victim of a crime on the 13th December 2013 when her drink was spiked with a Date Rape type drug.
“She has been subsequently prosecuted for actions which occurred as a result of her involuntary intoxication. Despite the court finding that Eireann was not responsible for her actions, she did not have a defence in law and was convicted.
“Despite being the victim of a crime and being dragged through the courts with resultant public humiliation, in is a testament that Erieann has continued to practice as an anaesthetist and has excelled treating the public with care, consideration and compassion.
“In the face of adversity and negative publicity associated with the prosecution she has continued with her professional development as a medical doctor and succeeded in passing her professional exams.
“Dr Kerr has been convicted of the offences despite being the victim in this case. Because of this unmerited conviction, Eireann has a criminal record and faces possible sanctions from the GMC which could affect her ability to practice as a doctor.
“It is grossly unfair that Eireann should face any charges, as she is the obvious victim here. It is not in the public interest that victims of Date Rape type drug intoxication should be prosecuted and have their careers destroyed through no fault of their own.
“I am appealing for your united and unanimous support for Eireann.”
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