A retired doctor was sent for trial yesterday on a £94,000 fraud charge in Belfast.
Dr Damien Beirne (71), from Piney Hills, Malone, Belfast, first appeared in court over three years ago and the case was repeatedly adjourned because of his ill-health.
He has denied dishonestly obtaining £94,291 from the Superannuation Branch of the Department of Health in the mid-1990s.
The charge alleged that he made a false declaration about his earnings which would have affected his pension.
When Dr Beirne appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court last month his solicitor, Mr Denis Maloney, produced a cardiologist's report stating that his patient should not attend until a review of his health had taken place. A prosecution lawyer objected to any further delay and the magistrate said he would give Dr Beirne one last chance to appear in court before a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The hearing was adjourned until next Monday, but was brought forward to yesterday following a defence application by Mr Maloney who said that following an updated medical report, Dr Beirne wished to have the case dealt with as soon as possible. Mr Maloney told the court that all monies allegedly received by his client had been repaid 18 months ago.
He said Dr Beirne would be pleading not guilty and it was his wish to have the case dealt with speedily so that the allegations against him could be disproved. Dr Beirne was sent for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.