One of two surgeons suspended at Cavan General Hospital over 'interpersonal difficulties' has returned to work.
Pawan Rajpal and William Joyce were suspended in 2003 when the working relationship between the two consultant surgeons deteriorated.
Both consultants had made allegations of a personal and professional nature against each other. They were suspended without pay by the head of the then North Eastern Health Board, Paul Robinson.
Both have been involved in protracted legal battles going as far as the Supreme Court, while their work has been filed in by locums.
In January of this year, the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, decided to lift the suspensions on the basis of legal advice.
The Supreme Court decided that since Mr Rajpal was not given details of any misconduct when he was suspended, the CEO acted outside his power and therefore there should have been no suspension.
Mr Rajpal has now resumed his practice at Cavan General. The move has been welcomed by the hospital's Medical Board which says that additional beds are also needed in the hospital.
However, the situation regarding Mr Joyce remains unclear. No agreement has been reached on his return.
Both men still have legal actions going through the courts.
