Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1116Professional misconduct (medical regulatory) · Co. Donegal · 20 Mar 2019

Psychiatrist Syed Zubair found guilty of professional misconduct by Medical Council

A 53-year-old psychiatrist, Dr Syed Zubair, was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Medical Council in August 2025 following a three-day fitness-to-practise inquiry. He had failed to disclose a May 2016 undertaking not to practise in Ireland, imposed after concerns he was intoxicated while working at Roscommon University Hospital, when he took a registrar role with Donegal Mental Health Services in 2019. Five further allegations were proven that he wrote prescriptions on Donegal Mental Health Services stationary under another patient's name and presented them at pharmacies in Letterkenny. The inquiry found he demonstrated a lack of trustworthiness, integrity and honesty, and a sanction is to be recommended and ratified by the High Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted21 Aug
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Dr Syed Zubair, a 53-year-old psychiatrist, was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry in 2025.
  • He failed to disclose a May 2016 undertaking not to practise in Ireland during a September 2018 job interview for a registrar position with Donegal Mental Health Services.
  • Five allegations were proven that he wrote prescriptions on Donegal Mental Health Services stationary without permission under another patient's name.
  • He inappropriately requested a letter from Roscommon GP John Keenan in December 2015 to state he had prescribed Diazepam when he had not.
Where
  • The concerns that led to the undertaking arose while he was working in the acute psychiatric unit of Roscommon University Hospital.
  • He presented the prescriptions at various pharmacies in Letterkenny, Co Donegal in 2019.
When
He worked with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Donegal between March 20, 2019 and July 5, 2019.
Cause
The undertaking not to practise was given due to concerns he was intoxicated or under the influence of substances while working.
In court
The fitness-to-practise inquiry was held over three days in 2025, and a sanction is to be recommended and ratified by the High Court.
Other details
  • A total of 12 allegations of professional misconduct were outlined at earlier hearings.
  • Dr Zubair qualified as a doctor in 1996 and first registered to practise in Ireland in 2007.
  • He is currently based back in Pakistan.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDr Zubair was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe failed to disclose the Medical Council agreement during a job interview in September 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe post was as a registrar with Donegal Mental Health Services. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDr Zubair is 53 years old and a native of Pakistan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFive allegations were proven that he wrote prescriptions on Donegal Mental Health Services stationary without permission under another patient's name. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe inappropriately requested a letter from Roscommon GP John Keenan in December 2015 to state he had prescribed Diazepam when he had not. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe concerns arose while he was working in the acute psychiatric unit of Roscommon University Hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe is currently based back in Pakistan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe presented the prescriptions at various pharmacies in Letterkenny, Co Donegal in 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe undertaking not to practise was given in May 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe fitness-to-practise inquiry was held over three days earlier in 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe worked with Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Donegal between March 20, 2019 and July 5, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe undertaking not to practise was given due to concerns he was intoxicated or under the influence of substances while working. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA total of 12 allegations of professional misconduct were outlined at earlier hearings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe qualified as a doctor in 1996 and first registered to practise in Ireland in 2007. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDr Zubair claimed his seeking such prescriptions was an honest mistake and not anything deceitful. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIn November 2019, Mr Justice Peter Kelly expressed serious concern about defective procedures within the Medical Council. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Aug2025
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Psychiatrist guilty of professional misconduct for taking role working with kids

    Reports the outcome of the Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry finding Dr Zubair guilty on multiple allegations, with sanction to be recommended and ratified by the High Court.

    convicted, Syed Zubair, 53, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Syed Zubair