Trial over fraudulent medical service claims to take three weeks

Two doctors and a secretary who were charged with a combined total of 137 counts of theft and possession of false documents relating to fraudulent medical services claims will require a jury trial lasting three weeks, a court has heard.

The cases of Waqas Farooqi (46) of Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, County Westmeath, Muhammad Azam (59), of The Rocks, Stonepark, County Longford, and Gillian McCord (56), of Knockanboy, County Longford, all appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at a sitting of Longford Circuit Court.

Niall Flynn, BL, told the court that disclosure in the case of all three accused has been furnished to the defence.

On behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Faulkner, BL, stated that this was not a matter that could be dealt with in the current sessions of Longford Circuit Court as “there are certain time limitations”. The court heard that the trial would last three weeks.

The three accused face a combined total of 137 charges, including theft and using false general medical service claims or out-of-hours payment forms.

Those false claims related to 12 different patients at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services, Exit 50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

Dr Azam faces a total of 48 charges, Dr Farooqi faces 47 charges, and Ms McCord faces 42 charges.

It is alleged the trio used false medical documentation to indicate that patients had received medical services.

Dr Azam and Dr Farooqi were also charged with multiple counts of money laundering at locations within the state between October 2017 and December 2019.

All three accused were remanded on continuing bail to April 6, 2027.

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