Cervical Check victims and their families to be briefed by Dr Scally today

Victims of the Cervical Check controversy and their families are to be briefed this afternoon on the Scally report, it has been revealed.

The report, due to be published this week, was partly leaked this morning, ahead of tomorrow’s briefing with victims and the cabinet.

Cork father-of-two Stephen Teap, whose wife Irene died of cervical cancer last year after incorrect smear test results in 2010 and 2013, said he will now attend a briefing today after the ‘horrifying leak.’ 

“We demanded it. It’s the least they can do after disrespecting the victims and their families yet again,” he added.

“I was horrified this morning to wake up to the leak, it’s highly disrespectful and just typical of the whole situation and the handling of it.

“We were due to meet tomorrow at 11.30am to be briefed and I had the day off work, babysitter organised and everything,” said Mr Teap.

“Vicky Phelan had rescheduled her crucial treatment just to be there and Lorraine Walsh had organised to travel from Galway but that’s all had to change now because of the leak.” 

Dr Gabriel Scally will meet with victims including Mr Teap, Limerick woman Vicky Phelan and Lorraine Walsh from Galway in Munster this afternoon.

“Dr Scally said he would come down to brief us and he got permission from Simon Harris who called me this morning to tell me,” said Mr Teap.

Reports today suggested that the head of the review, Dr Gabriel Scally, indicated that no commission of investigation into the scandal is required.

Mr Teap said he is not considering any of the leaked information and wants to be briefed before he makes a decision.

“I’m not listening to any of that government propaganda.

“I want to see the report and decide for myself,” he added.

“We’re going in blind, we don’t know what’s going to be in it.

“We want answers for our loved ones but we also want to identify any problems that need to be rectified to ensure that something like this never happens again.”