Two Longford doctors and a secretary will stand trial on multiple counts of theft and deception.
The charges also accuse them of falsifying medical service claims on behalf of patients to the HSE.
General Practitioners, 59-year-old Muhammad Azam of the Rocks, Stonepark, Co. Longford, and 46-year-old Waqas Farooqi of Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, as well as 56-year-old secretary Gillian McCord of Knockanboy, Co. Longford, appeared before Longford District Court today.
The three face 138 charges between them, which include various counts of stealing money under the HSE'S Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme at their practice at 19 Dublin Street, Longford between October 2017 and 2019.
Sgt Gerry Newton gave evidence of serving the book of evidence to all three defendants this morning at Longford Court.
The court accepted the doctors' cash lodgment of €5,000 as per their bail bond signed on the 10th of June.
A bail variation was presented to the court on behalf of Mr. Azam, who asked for the return of his passport between 31st December 2025 and 17th January 2026, and for his sign-on conditions at Longford Garda Station to be suspended between those dates.
Senior counsellor Patrick Groarke also requested legal aid for Ms. McCord based on her net income and lack of other assets.
This was granted by Judge Bernadette Owens, who also issued an alibi warning to all three defendants, which specifies that the court must be given notice of any intention to rely on an alibi at trial within 14 days of receiving the Book of Evidence.
Judge Owens then sent all three forward for trial at the next sitting of Longford Circuit Court on the 15th of July.
