Former member of Medical Council faces professional misconduct charges over covid-19 criticism

Dr Marcus de Brun, who previously worked as a GP in Rush, Co Dublin, appeared before a fitness-to-practise hearing of the Medical Council where he faced allegations that his comments relating to public health guidelines, lockdowns, facemasks, and vaccine programmes during the pandemic constituted professional misconduct. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins

A former member of the Medical Council has been accused of professional misconduct over numerous social media posts and public comments critical of covid-19 restrictions by the Government and health authorities.

Marcus de Brun, who previously worked as a GP in Rush, Co Dublin, appeared before a fitness-to-practise hearing of the Medical Council where he faced allegations that his comments relating to public health guidelines, lockdowns, facemasks, and vaccine programmes during the pandemic constituted professional misconduct.

Dr de Brun, who resigned from the Medical Council in April 2020 over what he claimed was the failure to protect nursing home residents, told the hearing that he had no choice but to raise concerns following the death of several of his patients in a nursing home.

The GP said their deaths and the subsequent anger and upset he felt were “a consequence of Government guidelines and inaction of the Medical Council". His comments were greeted with a sustained round of applause from a group of supporters who attended the public hearing.

The allegations

Some 10 allegations of professional misconduct were outlined by Neasa Bird BL for the Medical Council.

She said Dr de Brun knew or ought to have known that his actions were inappropriate as well as undermining, and not in accordance with public health guidelines.

Ms Bird claimed some of the doctor’s behaviour was also contrary to sections of the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics.

The allegations include that the GP described facemasks as “filthy,” “dirty” and “dangerous” when he spoke at a public rally opposing covid-19 restrictions outside the Custom House in Dublin on August 22, 2020.

Dr de Brun was also accused of failing to maintain social distancing guidelines and failing to wear a facemask at the same event, which was attended by up to 7,000 people.

Another allegation related to his repeated criticism of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) whose members he claimed were appointed on the basis of cronyism “rather than appropriate qualification or experience.” 

Dr de Brun claimed that Nphet was “the biggest disaster ever to have befallen the State” and that it was not “fit for purpose” and “a clear and present danger to public health.” He also accused the group of “making it up as they go along” and that Nphet “are the virus” as well as claiming “many more will die because of Nphet”. 

The GP also observed that lockdowns were “scientifically, morally and ethically wrong” and designed to only protect politicians.

Dr de Brun was also accused of professional misconduct for promoting the use of alternative treatments for covid-19, including ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

He faced other allegations over his linking of the covid-19 vaccination scheme with an increase in cancer cases as well as criticising the medical profession which he claimed was “fundamentally corrupt” and whose members were “bribed into silence”.

Dr de Brun's response

In reply to the allegations, Dr de Brun claimed many of his social media posts were taken out of context and were an attempt to defame his character. “It is important to put things in perspective,” he remarked.

Dr de Brun, who is representing himself at the hearing, said the five-year wait for the inquiry and its effect on him and his family was “no different to a criminal trial or criminal investigation.”

The hearing, which is expected to last four days, was adjourned and will resume on Wednesday morning.