File with dpp on ras attracta abuse allegations

GARDAÍ have completed a file and forwarded it to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following an investigation into alleged inhumane treatment of intellectually disabled people at the HSE run Áras Attracta centre in Swinford, writes Tom Shiel.

The DPP will now decide whether any staff should face criminal prosecution as a result of footage secretly recorded for a Prime Time TV documentary.

Áras residents, Ivy McGinty (53), Mary Garvan (65) and Mary Maloney (75), were shown on film to have been grossly mistreated. At different times, there was kicking, hitting, pinching, prodding, dragging and pushing of these patients by a very small minority of clearly identifiable staff.

Following the screening of the Prime Time abuse programme, gardaí in Claremorris launched a full scale investigation. Officers viewed some 190 hours of film recorded for the TV expose and took detailed statements from Áras staff.

After the programme was aired, a number of qualified nurses and care assistants were taken off duty at Áras Attracta. However, they are still being paid.