Gardaí investigating a suspected fraud against the Health Service Executive (HSE) and exchequer have arrested two doctors for questioning.
Both suspects were questioned at Garda stations in south Dublin on Wednesday as part of an inquiry that has been underway for some time.
The two men have since been released, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Garda said in a statement on Thursday morning.
The investigation, into a complaint of alleged fraud against the exchequer and HSE between 2017 and 2019, was being carried out the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). It was focused on alleged excessive claims for payments made to the HSE over a period of several years.
The Irish Times understands the doctors face allegations they made claims for payment from the HSE in respect of patients that were not treated, or were treated for more minor matters than was stated. However, the investigation into the allegations is ongoing and no findings have been reached against either man.
They both work in the same practice and, though they were questioned in south Dublin Garda stations, they are not based in that area. Instead, they both work in the same practice in a location in the region.
Detectives from the GNECB have been working with officials from the HSE in examining the alleged exaggerated claims for payment, with a very large number of claimed patient treatments having been examined.
Between the HSE and the gardaí from the GNECB, claims with a total value of €300,000 to €400,000 were being examined in the course of the criminal investigation now underway.
Both of the arrested doctors, one of whom is a more senior figure in the practice they are attached to, knew they were due to be detained for questioning on Wednesday. They both met with detectives by arrangement on Wednesday morning to be arrested.
Questions were put to the men during the course of Garda interviews relating to progress in the case to date. As the number of claims for payment from the HSE being examined is large, the Garda inquiry was expected to continue for some time.
It was also likely a file would be sent to the DPP at the conclusion of the case, which may take a long period of time. After the file on the case is complete and sent to the DPP, a decision would be made on whether evidence of fraud had been uncovered, rather than the possibility of criminal charges arising in the near term.
“Investigating gardaí have today arrested two males, aged in their mid 40s and and the other in his late 50s, in the Dublin region, on suspicion of an offence contrary to Section 71 Criminal Justice Act 2006,” Garda Headquarters said in a brief statement on Wednesday.
Both men were detained under the provisions of Section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007 in South Dublin Garda station.
“Investigations are ongoing,” the Garda said on Thursday following their release.
The provisions of the arrests relate to alleged crimes committed by several people in a systematic or organised manner. A Section 50 arrest allows for a suspect to be detained for up to one week without charge.
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