Dr. Maya Sharma, a consultant who raised concerns about dangerous prescription practices at Kerry's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), has welcomed the opportunity to meet with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Dr. Sharma first reported her concerns in a protected disclosure in 2020, an action that led to her dismissal and subsequent homelessness.
Two Health Service Executive (HSE) reports have since vindicated Dr. Sharma's disclosures, and government ministers have praised her actions. She also received a court payout from the HSE for being penalized for her whistleblowing. In April, Dr. Sharma shared her experiences of homelessness in London, where her job prospects were hindered by her whistleblower status and a negative HSE reference. She reported a near-fatal assault and sleeping at Heathrow Airport.
Dr. Sharma is now set to return to private practice in Kerry. A meeting with Taoiseach Martin is anticipated over the summer. During a meeting on Wednesday with mental health campaigner Davin Godfrey, Mr. Martin stated he would be delighted to meet Dr. Sharma, as he is scheduled to be in Kerry in the near future. Dr. Sharma called the prospect of meeting the Taoiseach a "real honor."
The meeting on Wednesday also included Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, Kerry TD Michael Cahill, and Kerry County Councillors Tommy Cahill and Jimmy Maloney. Following this meeting, Mr. Godfrey expressed optimism about achieving a State apology for all CAMHS victims. Mr. Martin committed to asking the Attorney General to prepare the legal groundwork for a formal apology, which Mr. Godfrey described as recognition of past wrongdoings and an "exoneration and vindication."
However, any official apology is contingent on the release of the second phase of a report into North Kerry CAMHS, expected early next year. Mr. Godfrey is one of hundreds of children who experienced harm due to failures at Kerry CAMHS. He detailed how, between the ages of seven and 19, he was prescribed a mix of antipsychotics, sedatives, and other medications, none of which were based on a mental health diagnosis. These included Risperidrone, Quetiapine, Sertraline, Olanzapine, Benzodiazepines, and Zopiclone.
As a result of this medication regimen, Mr. Godfrey experienced significant weight gain and the development of breasts, which later required surgical removal. Now preparing to study law and politics at the University of Limerick, Mr. Godfrey views the forced medication as a form of chemical assault. He stated, "I don't know how I'm still here at 24 years of age. I'm now fit and healthy and happy. I never thought I'd see it, because I thought I'd be six feet under at 15 or 16."