Ireland Case No. 0737Drink driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, possession of marijuana, professional misconduct · Co. Cavan
High Court confirms Cavan doctor's registration cancelled for professional misconduct
Dr Syed Waqas Ali Bukhari, a surgical registrar at Cavan General Hospital, was found guilty of professional misconduct after a four-day Medical Council inquiry into multiple driving offences between 2018 and 2021, including drink driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and possession of marijuana. The case came to light when he was asked on an annual retention form whether he had been convicted of a criminal offence. He pleaded guilty to the road traffic and drug offences and received two separate five-month jail sentences. In June 2026, the High Court confirmed the Medical Council's cancellation of his registration, prohibiting him from applying to have his name restored to the Irish register of doctors for three years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court21 Dec
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Dr Bukhari is a surgical registrar who worked at Cavan General Hospital between 2018 and July 2022.
- He drove a car in Co Cavan without insurance in June 2018 while disqualified for three years after a drink driving conviction.
- The inquiry examined allegations of drink-driving in 2019 and driving under the influence of drugs in July 2021.
- Investigation
- The case came to light when the doctor was asked on an annual retention form if he had been convicted of any criminal offence.
- A Medical Council inquiry was held over four days into several allegations.
- Charges
- Dr Bukhari pleaded guilty to several serious road traffic offences and offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- In court
- The High Court lifted an anonymity order on Dr Bukhari in the Medical Council disciplinary proceedings in December 2022.
- The Medical Council found him guilty of professional misconduct for drink driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and breaching undertakings to the High Court.
- High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville confirmed the cancellation sanction as appropriate and proportionate.
- Sentence
- He received two separate five-month jail sentences for driving offences and a drug possession conviction, one of which he has appealed.
- The doctor is prohibited from applying to have his name restored to the Irish register of doctors for three years.
- Other details
- He had been suspended from practising medicine in May 2023.
- Dr Bukhari returned to Pakistan in 2023 and practises there.
28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDr Bukhari is a surgical registrar who until recently worked at Cavan General Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe doctor drove a car in Co Cavan without insurance in June 2018 while disqualified for three years after a drink driving conviction (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe inquiry examined allegations of drink-driving in 2019 and driving under the influence of drugs in July 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- whereDr. Bukhari worked at Cavan General Hospital between 2018 and July 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe case came to light when the doctor was asked on an annual retention form if he had been convicted of any criminal offence (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA Medical Council inquiry was held over four days into several allegations (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeDr Bukhari committed and pleaded guilty to several serious road traffic offences and offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged in Cavan court with drunk careless driving with no insurance and possession of marijuana (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe High Court lifted an anonymity order on Dr Bukhari in the Medical Council disciplinary proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMediahuis Ireland, publishers of the Irish Independent, successfully applied to have the anonymity order lifted. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe anonymity was granted under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court agreed last December not to suspend him pending the disciplinary hearing after he gave undertakings including not to breach road traffic laws. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLast July the Medical Council brought the case back to court after learning he had driven again about eight weeks after the December undertakings while disqualified. (irishtimes.com)
- courtAppeals relating to offences in 2021 for possession of cannabis, using two false driving licences and driving without insurance or a licence were due for hearing in Cavan Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe did not turn up in the Circuit Court, having left for Pakistan as his grandmother was sick. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHigh Court president Mr Justice David Barniville lifted the anonymity order. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Medical Council found him guilty of professional misconduct (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHigh Court president Mr Justice David Barniville confirmed the cancellation sanction as appropriate and proportionate (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDr. Bukhari was found guilty of professional misconduct for drink driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and breaching undertakings to the High Court (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe faces two separate five-month jail sentences for driving offences and a drug possession conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe was given a five-month prison sentence for driving while suspended, which he has appealed. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceHe received periods of disqualification and sentences of imprisonment in May 2022 and April or June 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe doctor is prohibited from applying to have his name restored to the Irish register of doctors for three years (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe had to do community service and was banned from driving for at least five years (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA Sunday World article on 4 September caused him to lose a locum position. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe had been suspended from practising medicine in May 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDr. Bukhari returned to Pakistan in 2023 and practises there (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe disclosed eight separate driving offences, three of which related to exceeding the alcohol or drug limit (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Jun2026Doctor convicted of drink driving continued to drive while disqualified
Reports the High Court confirming the Medical Council's cancellation of Dr. Bukhari's registration following a four-day fitness to practise inquiry into multiple driving offences between 2018 and 2021.
accused, Syed Waqas Ali Bukhari, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Syed Waqas Ali Bukhari - 21 Dec2022High Court lifts anonymity order on doctor in Medical Council disciplinary case
Reports that High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville lifted the anonymity order on Dr Bukhari in the Medical Council disciplinary proceedings, that he failed to appear at Cavan Circuit Court for his appeals having left for Pakistan, and that the disciplinary matter was adjourned to May.
accused, Dr Syed Waqas Ali Bukhari, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Dr Syed Waqas Ali Bukhari