GP found guilty of misconduct over Covid social posts
A Wexford GP has been found guilty of professional misconduct over posts on social media during the Covid-19 pandemic which were highly critical of public health measures introduced to tackle the virus.
Dr Billy Ralph, a GP from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, has been found guilty of professional misconduct over social media posts made during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Medical Council's fitness-to-practise committee heard evidence from 34 tweets between October 2020 and June 2022, criticizing public health measures and various aspects of Covid-19 management.
The committee found four out of six allegations to be proven, including criticism of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), vaccinations, especially for children, and the promotion of ivermectin as a treatment. Dr Ralph's wife, Paula Byrne, testified that it was heartbreaking to see 32 years of service reduced to a few posts.
She emphasized that her husband's actions were driven by genuine concern for public health, despite being labeled as reckless and abusive. The committee recommended a minimum sanction of censure, with potential conditions attached, such as requiring Dr Ralph to undergo courses on social media and adhering to national health guidelines.
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