Courts / Dublin / Report

Pharmacy chain boss gets community service for defrauding HSE scheme

Date
2021-06-23
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

John Corr, 55, owner of five pharmacies, was found guilty of fraudulently claiming duplicate reimbursements from the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Service between 15 and 30 July 2016. He pleaded guilty to seven counts of dishonestly inducing the scheme to pay at locations in Dublin and County Louth. The total amount claimed was €3,988.79, while the duplicate claims amounted to €8,075.37. Corr had made full restitution and had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan, after noting Corr's 31‑year pharmacy career and the loss of his business, ordered him to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term. The sentence was delivered on 23 June 2021 at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case highlighted the HSE's reliance on pharmacists' honesty and the impact of the fraud on Corr's pharmacy contract.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pharmacy chain boss gets community service for defrauding HSE scheme. Charges or matters: seven counts of dishonestly inducing the HSE scheme to make a reimbursement at locations in Dublin and Co Louth on dates between July 15, 2016 and July 30, 2016; obtaining by deception was €3,988.79. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Judge Nolan adjourned the matter to today's date in order to give the Probation Service time to assess whether Corr is suitable for community service. CNI source report

Case subjects

John Corr

Accused

Charges: seven counts of dishonestly inducing the HSE scheme to make a reimbursement at locations in Dublin and Co Louth on dates between July 15, 2016 and July 30, 2016; obtaining by deception was €3,988.79 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan adjourned the matter to today's date in order to give the Probation Service time to assess whether Corr is suitable for community service. Today, Judge Nolan ordered that Corr complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of two-and-a-half years imprisonment.; Judge Nolan adjourned the matter to today's date in order to give the Probation Service time to assess whether Corr is suitable for community service.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Secondary Mention

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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