Irish doctor faces possible removal from register in UK fitness-to-practise hearing

An Irish medical professional is preparing to face a critical fitness-to-practise hearing in the United Kingdom, which could result in his removal from the medical register. Dr Anthony McGrath, a former orthopaedic surgeon, is set to appear before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) on June 29th. This follows his conviction in England in 2019 for orchestrating a complex insurance and mortgage fraud scheme. McGrath was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of four counts of fraud and one count of perverting the course of public justice. The General Medical Council (GMC), the UK's independent medical regulator, stated that McGrath has faced interim restrictions on his registration since June 2018. According to the GMC, any doctor who receives a custodial sentence following a criminal conviction is automatically referred to the MPTS for review. The tribunal will assess whether the allegations against McGrath are accurate and whether they impair his ability to continue practising medicine safely. If the tribunal finds the claims valid, McGrath could face severe consequences, including the revocation of his medical licence. Born in County Meath, McGrath graduated from the National University of Ireland in 1996 and obtained his general practitioner’s license in the UK in 2006. He was involved in a high-profile fraud case alongside his ex-wife, Anne-Louise, who was eventually acquitted of all charges. The couple was implicated in a scheme involving three fraudulent mortgages totaling over £1 million. These mortgages were secured using forged documents to finance their lifestyle, particularly their lavish property in St Albans. As financial pressures mounted, McGrath fabricated a story about a burglary at a rented estate, claiming that valuable items such as Ming vases, oriental rugs, and antique furniture were stolen. Later investigations revealed many of these items were located in his family home in Ireland. McGrath’s actions led to a dramatic fall from grace. During sentencing, the judge remarked on the extent of his deceit, stating that his lies seemed to have no limits. The judge also noted how McGrath had risen to prominence as a respected orthopaedic surgeon before succumbing to greed and arrogance. Despite this, he still holds a provisional medical licence in the UK, granted in March following a successful application. This licence comes with specific conditions, and the final decision regarding its continuation will depend on the outcome of the upcoming tribunal. The legal proceedings surrounding McGrath have also drawn attention to the role of Henry Hendron, a former barrister who assisted him with his application for the provisional licence. Hendron was imprisoned for 14 months in 2023 for possessing crystal meth he had acquired from clients. He was subsequently disbarred. Hendron and McGrath reportedly became acquainted during their time in prison, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The MPTS hearing is anticipated to last up to a week, with McGrath choosing to represent himself rather than hiring legal counsel. Possible outcomes include a formal warning, voluntary restrictions known as undertakings, mandatory conditions on his licence, suspension, or, in the most extreme scenario, complete erasure from the medical register. The tribunal will weigh the severity of the alleged misconduct and its potential impact on patient safety. Separately, a woman named Denise O'Brien has appeared in court in Dublin facing 98 counts of fraud. O'Brien, aged 42, resides in Tralee, County Kerry, and is accused of multiple offences under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. These include deception, forgery, and the use of false instruments. O'Brien missed her previous court appearance, citing confusion over the date and a prior hospital stay. Her defence lawyer requested the court to reinstate her bail, which was granted on her own recognizance of €100. O'Brien must check in daily at a local Garda station, provide her contact information, surrender her passport, and refrain from applying for additional travel documents. A new arraignment date has been set for November 16th, when O'Brien is expected to formally plead to the charges.