The South Eastern Health Board has confirmed it employed a suspended English psychiatrist as a locum at two of its hospitals last year.
The psychiatrist, Dr John Harding-Price has not been allowed to practise by the British General Medical Council since March 2000.
Dr Harding-Price worked at St Luke's psychiatric hospital, Clonmel, from April 17th, 2000, until July 31st and at St Canice's psychiatric hospital, Kilkenny, from August 14th, 2000, until November 5th.
He was subject to an interim suspension by the British General Medical Council on August 31st, 2000, and was found guilty of serious professional misconduct on December 13th, 2000.
At that hearing Dr Harding-Price was told: "Your conduct has fallen seriously below the standard which patients are entitled to expect of registered practitioners. In all the circumstances the committee have decided to direct the registrar to erase your name from the register.
"The committee have further determined that as your failings demonstrate a standard of practice which presents a risk to the public, it is necessary for the protection of the public that your registration should be suspended with immediate effect and have accordingly ordered that your registration should be suspended forthwith."
The hearing which led to the suspension heard of complaints by three patients.
Miss X alleged that while attending Dr Harding-Price at the Lawn Medical Centre in Lincoln on August 22nd, 1998, he removed her bra, kept her undressed throughout the consultation, performed an examination of her back during which he moved her knickers and touched or slapped her bottom.
A second patient, Mrs Y, had attended the Lawn Medical Centre in March 1998 to discuss the medical condition of her husband, a patient of Dr Harding-Price. The psychiatrist asked her detailed and intimate questions regarding the couple's sex life. He sent the details of the consultation to her husband without her consent.
The doctor had "asked detailed and intimate questions of Miss Z about her sexual and financial life" at a consultation at Grimsby primary care centre which the council found inappropriate.
The South Eastern Health Board said it had not received any complaints about Dr Harding-Price's work or conduct. A spokesperson said the board was informed on February 28th, 2001, that Dr Harding-Price's name "should not have any effect on the General Register of Medical Practitioners" pending an inquiry.
Dr Harding-Price is appealing his suspension to the Privy Council.