Patricia Casey
Encyclopedia
Patricia Rosarie Casey is an Irish
psychiatrist
and conservative activist. She is Professor
of Psychiatry
at University College Dublin
and consultant
psychiatrist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin
. She may be best known for her promotion of mental health
awareness and for her views on a variety of social issues.
in County Cork
, Casey's father was a council worker and farmer, while her mother worked as a public health nurse at a time when it was highly unusual for both parents to work outside the home. She has one sibling; a younger sister, Terry. Excelling at school, she went on to study medicine at University College Cork, graduating in 1976 with bachelors of medicine and surgery. Soon after graduation, she met her husband, barrister John McGuiggan. Casey notes that she and her husband are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.
. Her clinical and research interests include depression
, personality disorder
and suicide
prevention. From 1994 to 1999, she chaired the Irish Fitness to Practise Medical Council Committee. In 2007, The Dubliner
magazine listed her in their Good Doctor Guide.
; a think tank which she helped to found, and which promotes a Catholic point of view. Casey is known for her opposition to divorce
, advising the Irish government against holding a referendum
to legalise divorce in 1995. She also maintains that "the sense of loss children feel when parents separate is greater than when a parent dies". She does not, however, disagree with divorce in the case of a violent or abusive
spouse. Casey also opposes abortion
surrogate pregnancy, anonymous donor in vitro fertilisation
, non-traditional family units, adoption by gay parents, and same-sex marriage
. She is a proponent of heterosexual adoption
. Casey has testified before the Irish Government, at the British House of Commons and in Irish legal cases on a number of these issues. She also writes a regular opinion column for the Irish Independent
newspaper and in the past has contributed to the Sunday Business Post and to the letters page of the Irish Times, as well as appearing on national television and radio.
, Sweden
, as a study that shows that "children...do best when raised by their married biological parents," despite the fact that the University and the authors of the report have rejected as invalid Casey's interpretation of their results. They have stated that her claim that children do better when raised by married heterosexuals is "not valid based on our findings... no comparisons were made with gay or lesbian family constellations in the studies included in the review. Therefore, there is nothing whatsoever in our review that would justify the conclusion that same-sex parents cannot raise healthy children who do well." Anna Sarkadi, the study's lead author, also commented, "I find it interesting that, since the report was published, we have been contacted by many ultra-conservative groups who are saying that it supports their point. But I think it's very important to be cautious about what conclusions you come to." Casey said that she was "just taking the results of the report to its logical conclusion."
, Melanie Verwoerd, responded that "Unicef does not make any judgments on the well being of children growing up with same-sex parents" and that Casey's claim of Unicef support was "incorrect and unacceptable".
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
and conservative activist. She is Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Psychiatry
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
at University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
and consultant
Consultant (medicine)
In the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth, consultant is the title of a senior doctor who has completed all of his or her specialist training and been placed on the specialist register in their chosen specialty...
psychiatrist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin
The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is a major teaching hospital, based at Eccles Street, Phibsboro, on the northside of Dublin, Ireland...
. She may be best known for her promotion of mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
awareness and for her views on a variety of social issues.
Background and personal life
Brought up in BallynoeBallynoe
Ballynoe is a small settlement and townland south of Downpatrick in County Down, Northern Ireland. The main feature of note is Ballynoe Stone Circle, a large circle of over 50 closely spaced upright stones, surrounding a mound which, when excavated, was found to contain two cists in which cremated...
in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Casey's father was a council worker and farmer, while her mother worked as a public health nurse at a time when it was highly unusual for both parents to work outside the home. She has one sibling; a younger sister, Terry. Excelling at school, she went on to study medicine at University College Cork, graduating in 1976 with bachelors of medicine and surgery. Soon after graduation, she met her husband, barrister John McGuiggan. Casey notes that she and her husband are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Medical career
Casey has authored or co-authored six books and is editor of the The Psychiatrist, a publication of the Royal College of PsychiatristsRoyal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the main professional organisation of psychiatrists in the United Kingdom responsible for representing psychiatrists, psychiatric research and providing public information about mental health problems...
. Her clinical and research interests include depression
Major depressive episode
A major depressive episode is the cluster of symptoms of major depressive disorder. The description has been formalised in psychiatric diagnostic criteria such as the DSM-IV and ICD-10, and is characterized by severe, highly persistent depression, and a loss of interest or pleasure in everyday...
, personality disorder
Personality disorder
Personality disorders, formerly referred to as character disorders, are a class of personality types and behaviors. Personality disorders are noted on Axis II of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-IV-TR of the American Psychiatric Association.Personality disorders are...
and suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
prevention. From 1994 to 1999, she chaired the Irish Fitness to Practise Medical Council Committee. In 2007, The Dubliner
The Dubliner (magazine)
-Publication format:The magazine had ten issues per year, and contents include opinion, reporting, political and social commentary and essays on Irish culture...
magazine listed her in their Good Doctor Guide.
Positions on social issues
Casey is a practising Roman Catholic. She sits on the board of the Iona InstituteIona Institute
The Iona Institute is a conservative, Catholic think tank based in Ireland. Founded by David Quinn, a journalist and commentator on religious affairs, it was launched publicly in 2007. Psychiatrist Patricia Casey and journalist Breda O'Brien are amongst its patrons.The Institute aims advocates...
; a think tank which she helped to found, and which promotes a Catholic point of view. Casey is known for her opposition to divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
, advising the Irish government against holding a referendum
Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland
The Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland repealed the constitutional prohibition of divorce. It was effected by the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1995, which was approved by referendum on 24 November 1995 and signed into law on 17 June 1996.-Changes to the...
to legalise divorce in 1995. She also maintains that "the sense of loss children feel when parents separate is greater than when a parent dies". She does not, however, disagree with divorce in the case of a violent or abusive
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
spouse. Casey also opposes abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
surrogate pregnancy, anonymous donor in vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed...
, non-traditional family units, adoption by gay parents, and same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. She is a proponent of heterosexual adoption
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
. Casey has testified before the Irish Government, at the British House of Commons and in Irish legal cases on a number of these issues. She also writes a regular opinion column for the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
newspaper and in the past has contributed to the Sunday Business Post and to the letters page of the Irish Times, as well as appearing on national television and radio.
Misrepresentation of data
Casey has been faulted for misrepresenting research data in order to support her position against same-sex marriage and same-sex couple adoption. She has made repeated reference to a parenting study from Uppsala UniversityUppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, as a study that shows that "children...do best when raised by their married biological parents," despite the fact that the University and the authors of the report have rejected as invalid Casey's interpretation of their results. They have stated that her claim that children do better when raised by married heterosexuals is "not valid based on our findings... no comparisons were made with gay or lesbian family constellations in the studies included in the review. Therefore, there is nothing whatsoever in our review that would justify the conclusion that same-sex parents cannot raise healthy children who do well." Anna Sarkadi, the study's lead author, also commented, "I find it interesting that, since the report was published, we have been contacted by many ultra-conservative groups who are saying that it supports their point. But I think it's very important to be cautious about what conclusions you come to." Casey said that she was "just taking the results of the report to its logical conclusion."
False claims of support
Casey has also falsely claimed that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) supports her position on same-sex parenting. The Executive Director of UNICEF IrelandUNICEF Ireland
UNICEF Ireland, also known as the Irish National Committee for UNICEF, is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialised countries.The National Committees raise funds for the organisation's worldwide emergency and development work....
, Melanie Verwoerd, responded that "Unicef does not make any judgments on the well being of children growing up with same-sex parents" and that Casey's claim of Unicef support was "incorrect and unacceptable".