The trial of the former Co Clare GP Paschal Carmody has been hearing from patients he treated at his surgery in Killaloe.
The 60-year-old from Killaloe denies 25 charges of allegedly receiving money from six terminally ill cancer patients by falsely promising he could cure them of cancer with photodynamic therapy that was offered at his clinic.
Judge Rory McCabe has already indicated to the jury that he will be directing them to find Mr Carmody not guilty of eight of those charges.
Margaret Mangan from Co Kerry told Ennis Circuit Court today that she was treated twice by Mr Carmody, first in 1997 when she went to him to be treated for myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome) and recovered well.
In 2000 she developed skin cancer and was told by her surgeons her only option was to have surgery on her entire leg.
She decided to return to Mr Carmody's clinic, where he suggested she receive photodynamic therapy and she subsequently recovered.
She said she thanked God for Mr Carmody because if it were not for him she does not believe she would be well to rear her two sons.
Former Mayor of Clare Cllr Flan Garvey, who said Mr Carmody was his family GP for over 20 years, said Mr Carmody never took chances with his patients.
Mr Garvey said when he developed prostate cancer in 2003, Mr Carmody referred him to hospitals in Limerick and Dublin. He described Mr Carmody as professional, caring and considerate.
Former patient and mother-of-three Theresa Malone, 58, from Killaloe, said she was heartbroken that Mr Carmody cannot be her doctor anymore.
The trial continues.
