A tragic death raises questions about alternative medicine's risks.
The story of Marilyn Hilliard, an 83-year-old woman from Schull, West Cork, is a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in the world of alternative medicine. Mrs. Hilliard, a grandmother and great-grandmother, sought relief from arthritis through unconventional means, but her journey ended in a cerebral hemorrhage.
But here's where it gets controversial: The coroner's inquest revealed a lack of clarity and potential negligence. Mrs. Hilliard's family believes she received multiple injections from a natural remedies practitioner, Paschal Carmody, which caused severe pain and may have contributed to her death. Mr. Carmody, however, insists he only administered one injection.
The coroner, Philip Comyn, heard evidence from Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margaret Bolster, who stated that a neurological expert linked the hemorrhage to high blood pressure. Interestingly, Mrs. Hilliard displayed none of the typical triggers for such an event, aside from a thickened heart wall.
Dr. Bolster confirmed the absence of trauma or vascular malfunction, ruling out a fall as a contributing factor. The focus then shifted to Mr. Carmody's treatment methods.
Mr. Carmody claimed he had no memory of treating Mrs. Hilliard beyond one injection in 2024. But payment receipts showed that she had spent €1,720 on four consultations with him. When confronted, Mr. Carmody maintained his position, stating, "I think there was (one) treatment...no, I did not (give further injections)." He admitted to sometimes keeping patient records, but not always.
And this is the part most people miss: The coroner found it unusual that Mr. Carmody did not maintain proper records of his consultations. Mr. Comyn suggested that Mrs. Hilliard likely received additional injections during her visits, despite Mr. Carmody's claims.
In the end, the coroner returned an open verdict, stating that Mrs. Hilliard died from a cerebral hemorrhage on February 11, 2025. The family's plea to the public was clear: seek medical advice from trained and registered professionals, and exercise caution with alternative medicine.
This case highlights the importance of transparency and regulation in the alternative medicine field. Should practitioners like Mr. Carmody be held to higher standards of record-keeping and accountability? Share your thoughts in the comments below, but remember to keep the discussion respectful and evidence-based.
