A Medical Council inquiry has begun into allegations against an obstetrician and gynaecologist who worked at Sligo University Hospital relating to her care of six patients.
Dr Andrea Hermann is facing allegations of poor professional performance regarding events in 2013 and 2014.
In the case of Patient A, it is alleged Dr Hermann failed to perform a planned caesarean section with due skill and that she made a significantly abnormal incision during the operation in December 2013.
It is also alleged she failed to tell Sligo hospital in July 2013 at an interview that there were conditions attached to her return to practice, after suspension, by the Medical Council.
Dr Hermann had previously been suspended for a year by the council and on returning to medicine was required to undergo retraining and supervision for a minimum of three years.
Patrick Leonard, senior counsel for the council, said the suspension and conditions followed an earlier fitness to practise inquiry in 2009 and 2010.
She was suspended for a year from 1 June 2010 and the conditions applied from March 2011.
The conditions related to her gynaecological and surgical techniques and clinical decision-making.
Dr Hermann was employed at Sligo between July 2013 and May 2014.
In the case of Patient C, it is alleged Dr Hermann failed to establish if a Mirena Coil had remained in place as a contraceptive.
The inquiry heard that the coil had not stayed in place and Patient C became pregnant.
The inquiry is scheduled to last around two weeks.
Dr Hermann is legally represented but is not attending in person.
It is understood she is currently in Germany.
The inquiry has heard that the Medical Council wrote to Sligo on 24 July 2013 notifying them that conditions were attached to Dr Hermann's practice.
Mr Leonard told the inquiry that representatives of Sligo did not appreciate she was subject to conditions.
However, she was later removed from the on-call rota and supervision was introduced by the hospital, after issues arose concerning her medical performance.
In a statement from Dr Hermann, read by her solicitor, Gerard O'Donnell, she said she had experienced severe depression arising from the experience with the Council.
Her financial situation was such that she could not afford a legal team.
Dr Hermann said the conditions attached to her practise were clearly outlined in her registration certificate and Sligo knew this.
Dr Hermann said she had made huge efforts to make supervision work.
She also accused the council of reckless harassment and demanded "despicable" allegations be withdrawn.
Mr O' Donnell said it was disingenuous of the HSE to suggest they did not know about the conditions.
He also said Dr Hermann's previous encounter with the council had been widely publicised and could be found on Google.
Mr O'Donnell said Dr Hermann had travelled the country trying to get a post after her suspension ended but the effect of the High Court conditions meant it was impossible to get employment.
Mr O'Donnell said he had instructions to plead guilty to a number of the allegations as poor professional performance.
He also said he was now coming off record as her lawyer.
In light of the admissions, the council has agreed to strike out a number of the allegations.
This is expected to shorten the inquiry, which has adjourned until Wednesday.
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