GP sentenced for €12k HSE fraud
A MEATH-based GP received an 18 month suspended sentence after fraudulently claiming over €12,000 from the HSE over a four year period.
Rionach Slattery (53), from Tara, Meath, was in Trim Circuit Court on 27th January charged with multiple charges of fraud against the HSE. Ms Slattery was initially charged in 2021 with defrauding the HSE of €266,330 but this was significantly reduced to €12,345.
The fraudulent claims took place period between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2015 at Johnstown Group Practice, Old Johnstown.
The court heard the payments for special type consultations, monthly claims submitted by Johnstown Group Practice were for the intention of making gains for herself contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Judge John Martin said the HSE relationship with Ms Slattery was based on trust “and that is a trust you have breached”.
Judge Martin said identifying the victims in this case was challenging due to the funds coming from the HSE. He said this was premeditated and “it’s not something that is just through a slip or inattention”.
The court heard Ms Slattery is a single parent of four children and working as a qualified GP since 2000. The judge noted her clean record and how since the charges have been made public there had been a “loss of respect” for the accused.
The court heard various testimonials during the sentence hearing also speaking positively of Dr Slattery. The judge also said as a doctor she goes “over and beyond” her duty with many patients indebted to her. The court heard the HSE did not suspend Ms Slattery from her practice after the fraud was discovered.
Defending barrister Breffni Gordon told the court Ms Slattery is willing to pay back the HSE what she stole but Judge Martin said “that’s just paying back what you took” and what the accused should be paying is “double plus interest”.
Ms Slattery was given an 18 month sentence suspended for two years. She is to enter a peace bond, do 240 hours of community service over the next two years, and pay a sum of €25,000 which will be donated to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the Meath Community Drug and Alcohol Response (MCDAR) project, and St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.