Doctor Avoids Jail in Prescription Forgery Case

An Irish doctor who attributed his opioid addiction to workplace stress will avoid jail time and a criminal record after admitting to prescription theft and forgery. The judge cited the immense pressure on medical professionals as a mitigating factor.

Courtroom Details

Daniel Nevin, 39, admitted in Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to stealing prescription pads from two hospitals and committing 46 counts of forgery between 2021 and last year. His fiancée, Rebecca Moylan, 35, also a nurse, pleaded guilty to stealing prescriptions and their illegal use at pharmacies.

Judge Keenan Johnson acknowledged that Nevin never endangered patients, stating the couple’s actions primarily harmed themselves. He noted their ruined careers and tarnished reputations, yet emphasized Nevin‘s addiction struggles.

Exceptional Circumstances

Nevin, a Trinity College Dublin PhD graduate specializing in pharmacology, had worked in medical research in Australia before returning to Ireland. He became a qualified doctor in 2018.

Judge Johnson recognized Nevin as a “high achiever” who transitioned from clinical work to tutoring at Midlands Regional General Hospital. He also considered the intense pressures on medical staff working long shifts.

Sentencing and Restorative Justice

Instead of a custodial sentence, Judge Johnson invoked the Probation of Offenders Act, stipulating that Nevin donate €15,000 and Moylan €5,000 to the Merchant Quay drug treatment project as restorative justice. He stated that they had already paid a huge price.

The charges against Nevin included prescription thefts from University Hospital Galway between July 2021 and July 2023, and Midlands Regional General Hospital in Mullingar from July 10th, 2023, to February 18th last year. He also admitted to using forged prescriptions in Kells, Kilbeggan, and Tullamore.

Moylan admitted stealing prescription pads from St James’s Hospital in Dublin between September 1st and November 2023, and using prescriptions forged by her partner.

The Scheme Unravels

The couple, residing in Mullingar, used a fictitious patient’s name on most prescriptions to obtain OxyContin. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 8–12% of people prescribed opioids develop an opioid use disorder.

Their scheme was uncovered when a Mullingar pharmacist grew suspicious in May of last year. Contacting University Hospital Galway, the pharmacist confirmed there was no record of the prescription or patient.

Contributing Factors

Nevin agreed that job stress had “precipitated and aggravated” his addiction. Initially managing his addiction via online purchases, he later sought help. After a period of sobriety, he relapsed, leading to his departure from clinical practice and shift to a teaching role.

Nevin expressed remorse, stating the consequences were devastating and that he was attending addiction counseling.

Defense Arguments

The court also heard that Moylan cared for her terminally ill mother while studying nursing.

Dara Foynes SC, defending Moylan, argued that she acted out of compassion for her partner, attempting to manage a situation spiraling out of control.

The court learned that Moylan resigned from her nursing job and agreed never to work as a nurse again, while Nevin awaits a decision regarding his medical career.

The case was adjourned until Friday.