Irish Doctor Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Patients, Worked at Dublin Care Centre for 22 Years

Ireland: An Irish doctor was jailed on August 14, 2026, for sexually assaulting two patients during medical examinations in 2023. Before that, he served in a Dublin care centre facility for 22 years.

​The victims were seeing Dr. Iqbal for physiotherapy after road crash accidents.

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal is a 64-year-old doctor residing in Julianstown, Co. Meath.

​On August 14, 2026, he was jailed for 18 months at Newcastle Crown Court. He was jailed in relation to two separate cases, one in Darlington and the other in Sunderland in 2023. He was also placed on the sex offenders list for 10 years.

​According to The Irish Times, Dr. Iqbal worked at St Michael's in Ballymun for 22 years. The facility provides various services to children and adults with disabilities.

Reports stated that Dr. Iqbal continued to work at the Dublin care centre while his case was going on in the UK court.

​St Michael’s House told The Irish Times that they have been cooperating with the Medical Council since the investigation into Dr. Iqbal started.

​They said, "The safety, welfare, and dignity of service users have always been their primary concern, according to the care centre."

​A spokesperson from St. Michael’s said, “Throughout this matter, St Michael’s House acted in accordance with the requirements of the Medical Council and complied with its obligations as an employer.”

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During the UK court case, it was established that during the assault of one patient, he grabbed her breast. In the case of the other patient, he examined her breasts to check for a lump even though it was unnecessary because both the patients were seeing him for physiotherapy concerns after a road accident.

​In an interview with the BBC, Det Con Charlotte Naisby said: "Iqbal preyed on these women during a very vulnerable period in their lives and his behaviour was despicable.”

He said that the women trusted a certified GP, but Dr. Iqbal not only assaulted them but he also broke their trust in a horrible way.

​“We are glad to see he is now behind bars," Charlotte Naisby added.

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was also involved in sexually harassing a junior colleague in 2006.

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According to The Irish Times, a younger colleague filed a sexual harassment complaint against Iqbal in 2006. The colleague alleged that he engaged in flirtatious behaviour, asked about her personal life, requested her phone number, touched her leg, and kissed her cheek and hand without consent.

​According to a statement by St. Michael's, they said, “To the best of our knowledge, there is no record of any subsequent allegation or complaint since 2006.”

(Rh/ARC/MSM)