Downpatrick GP denies conducting fraudulent patient trials

Dr Hugh McGoldrick, from Crossgar Road East in Crossgar, faces a total of eight charges dating back to 2007 and 2008 in connection with a drugs trial into a new sleeping tablet.

McGoldrick, 58, appeared at Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, on Thursday where he denied a total of eight offences.

The doctor, whose practice is in Downpatrick, has been charged with two counts of conducting a clinical trial in contravention of regulations, and four separate counts of fraud by false representation.

The latter four charges accuse McGoldrick of making false claims that patients were suitable for clinical trials in a bid to make a gain for himself or a loss to the pharmaceutical company Sanofi Aventis UK.

In addition, the Co Down doctor also faces two charges of doing an act with the intent of perverting the course of justice.

Believed to be linked to attempted arsons at his GP’s practice at Pound Lane Clinic, McGoldrick has been charged with facilitating the attempted destruction of criminal records and documents associated with the clinical trials he was conducting for Sanofi Aventis UK, on both November 9 and November 18, 2008.

When each of the eight charges were put to McGoldick, he replied “not guilty” to all of them.

A trial is due to commence next month.