A ‘BISHOP’ IN the Genesis II church was convicted at Naas District Court this week for manufacturing what was described as a ‘miracle cure to cure autism’.
Genesis II says it is a health and hearing church which does good deeds and enlightens others with the truth.
Patrick Merlehan of Newtown, Moone, Co Kildare, was charged with manufacturing a product, not in accordance with the Health Products Regulatory Authority, contrary to 2007 Regulations, on 6 November 2014.
He was also charged with placing Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) on the market, contrary to 2007 rules, the control of placing on the market regulations.
The court heard how numerous bottles of solution, heavily laced with industrial bleach, were found at his home.
Evidence was given in court that on 6 November 2014, following concerns from a mother of children with autism about MMS, several gardaí from the Kildare division – assisted by the Regional Response Unit – entered Merlehan’s home using force as he did not open the door for them after being requested to do so.
Athy-based Sergeant Donal O’Sullivan said:
It was a very extensive property, more like a compound. There was a iron bar in the front door. It was quite a job to get in, it was more like a prison. There was a conference and IT room.
After gardaí located Merlehan, behind an iron bar in the house, drugs enforcement officer for the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) Alan Smullen entered the building.
Five-litre gallon drums of water and four bottles with chemicals were seized from a fridge along with a Genesis II Church-branded workbook.
Smullen outlined how he came into contact with autism rights activist Fiona O’Leary in July 2014 and she notified him of her concerns about MMS.
Evidence was given that she telephoned Merlehan who, she said, told her that he could provide her with MMS solution.
Mr Smullen also outlined how he got an email from O’Leary informing him that seminars for MMS were being advertised online. Genesis 11 Health Minister Training were being offered at a cost of €285 for the class, materials and a certificate, the court heard.
Smullen gave evidence that Merlehan had no authorisation from appropriate authorities for MMS.
Castledermot-based garda Séamus Muldowney outlined how he questioned Merlehan following the arrest.
Evidence was given in court how he put it to Merlehan that he was “taking advantage of people who are at their wits’ end”.
Muldowney outlined how Merlehan said that he took MMS for his own personal use.
When questioned about whether he has received money for the seminars on MMS, he said that he was a facilitator and had not received money.
Dr Christopher Laffey, who examined the seized bottles at a lab in the National University of Galway, outlined in court how the solutions in the bottles (one in particular) contained an extremely high level of industrial bleach.
This was the main ingredient being used for the MMS solution, which was being marketed as a cure for conditions such cancer, malaria and autism.
Judge Alan Mitchell found Merlehan guilty on two charges related to the manufacture and supply of Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), an unauthorised medicinal product on the Irish market.
The judge fined the defendant a total of €4,000.
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