Dodson: No need for an external Cattigan inquiry
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson last night insisted there was no need for an external inquiry into the events leading up to the death of Scotland international Siobhan Cattigan late last year.
The 26-year-old’s parents, Neil and Morven Cattigan, said in a newspaper interview two weeks ago that they blamed the governing body for her death.
They allege that she did not get proper treatment for brain injuries, which brought about a massive change in her personality akin to dementia – and in the end led her to “the point where she could no longer live with the pain in her head and Siobhan succumbed to an irrational thought and impulsive action”.
The Cattigans have now begun legal action against Scottish Rugby, which Dodson said meant he was limited in what he could state about the case.
But he insisted he disagreed with at least parts of their version of events, and said he had full confidence in Bryan Easson, the Scotland Women’s head coach who was heavily criticised by the family for what they saw as his callous treatment of their daughter after one of her injuries.
Interviewed after the union’s annual general meeting at Murrayfield, Dodson was asked if an outside inquiry was the best way to establish the facts.
He said: “No, because at the end of the day they will have the same issues we have – patient confidentiality and GMC [General Medical Council] guidelines.
“There are a number of people looking at a number of things at the moment,” he added, when asked if any inquiry was going on within Murrayfield.
“It is not a review. It will try and establish the facts. That is what we are trying to do. Facts and timeline.
“This may end up in court proceedings and this may be the most appropriate place for this to end up.
“I have confidence in Bryan Easson as a coach,” Dodson continued. “As far as any allegations are made against Bryan, we will look into those and establish facts as time goes past.”
SRU President Ian Barr stood down at the end of the meeting on completion of his two-year term in office, and handed over to new president Colin Rigby.