Richard Boyd Barrett given all-clear following treatment for throat cancer

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Richard Boyd Barrett says his treatment for throat cancer has been “successful” and the disease has been “eliminated”.

Mr Boyd Barrett said on Friday he underwent a scan last week that confirmed his treatment for throat cancer had been a success.

“I got a scan in the last week or so, which says the treatment has been successful and has eliminated the cancer,” he told RTÉ Radio 1’s Claire Byrne show.

“I will have to be monitored closely, check-ups every three months for the next five years, but they are saying it’s worked. It’s as good a result for the treatment I got as you can get.

“They burn the cancer out of your throat, and that means there’s quite a lot of damage done to your throat. This causes a dry mouth and sometimes a “chokey” feeling, which makes speaking and eating difficult."

He said he planned to start easing himself back into work but would take things slowly.

“I hope people will understand that I may not be going at 100 per cent capacity for a while until I try things out, because the side effects are substantial. They don’t know how long they last; some of them can even be lifelong.”

Mr Boyd Barrett paid tribute to the staff from St Luke’s oncology unit in Dublin who have “given my life back to me, basically”.

He thanked his party colleagues, including former People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Bríd Smith, who continued to offer a constituency service in Dún Laoghaire during his absence.

Mr Boyd Barrett stepped back from work in April to undergo treatment after revealing he had been diagnosed with throat cancer.

He said he noticed a lump on his neck during last year’s general election campaign and had it investigated before Christmas.