A GP and former Medical Council member has been found guilty of professional misconduct over a series of social media posts and public comments criticising Covid-19 vaccines, lockdown measures and public health guidance during the pandemic. reports Breaking News.
The fitness-to-practise committee of the Medical Council also upheld allegations relating to Dr Marcus de Brun’s attendance at a public rally in August 2020, where he failed to comply with social distancing and mask-wearing requirements.
Dr de Brun, a married father of four who previously ran a practice in Rush, Co Dublin, said he had turned to social media after his concerns were “flatly dismissed and ignored”, and claimed the inquiry was not “an honest hearing”. reports Breaking News.
The committee examined 67 posts on Twitter (now X) made between May 2020 and October 2021, ultimately finding seven allegations of professional misconduct proven.
Several were described as “disgraceful and dishonourable” and falling far below expected professional standards.
Among the posts were claims that Covid-19 vaccination of healthy children was “the greatest crime against humanity” and suggestions that parents bringing children for vaccination were engaging in child abuse. reports Breaking News.
Inquiry chair Prof Deirdre Murphy said some comments were “grossly irresponsible” and “deliberately emotive, misguided and reckless”, adding that doctors have a duty to ensure public statements are accurate, evidence-based and do not undermine public health responses. reports Breaking News.
The committee also criticised Dr de Brun’s behaviour at the Customs House rally in Dublin, describing it as “completely and utterly unacceptable”, and noted his own posts boasting about attending the event shortly before seeing patients. reports Breaking News.
While no findings were made in relation to some claims regarding alternative Covid treatments, the committee concluded that 35 tweets breached professional guidelines on social media conduct.
Dr de Brun, who disputed aspects of the ruling, said he believed Covid-19 vaccines for children were “grossly wrong” and called for a public inquiry into the State’s pandemic response, stating that authorities “have blood on their hands”. reports Breaking News.
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