Dr. Downey graduated from University College Cork in 1985. He worked in a number of hospitals in the Cork area and completed his GP training in Liverpool in the United Kingdom. He became a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and has worked in general practice in the UK and Australia. He gained additional qualifications in Child Health and Obstetrics. He returned to work in general practice in South Kerry for eight years before moving to the Kinsale practice in 2006.

Dr. Downey has a special interest in Men's Health; he is active in promoting all aspects of well-being including health education and screening. He also works in the area of Occupational Health and holds the licentiate of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (LFOM) which is an internationally recognised qualification in the field. He has undergone postgraduate training in surgery and performs a variety of minor surgical procedures. Dr. Downey has a keen interest in medical education and teaches medical students at a number of levels: he holds a postgraduate qualification in clinical teaching (Certificate in Clinical Education through NUIG).