Gardaí are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a resident with an intellectual disability in a private nursing home in Donegal.
The Sunday Independent reports the woman had been admitted to the private nursing home by the HSE following a stay in hospital when the alleged assault occurred in May.
The alleged assault was reported to the nursing home’s director of nursing the following day.
However, a further two days passed before the woman’s family was told about the alleged assault and a report was filed with the HSE’s safeguarding and protection team.
Gardaí confirmed they are investigating an alleged assault but declined to say when they received the complaint.
Sources said the alleged incident involved a sexual assault on the woman by another resident.
The independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle flagged the alleged assault with the Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte, who has raised questions with the HSE over how it was handled.
A recent internal circular to HSE managers highlighted the need for an “immediate” response to sexual incidents in residential facilities, regardless of a “person’s age, dependency or diagnosis”.
The HSE said it does not comment on ongoing investigations but said it is “aware of an alleged incident that took place in a private nursing home”.
The case has also been referred to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), which is responsible for the regulation of private nursing homes. A garda spokesperson said: “Investigations are ongoing into this matter. No further information is available at this time.”
Separately, the Sunday Independent has learned no HSE staff will face disciplinary action for failing to stop an intellectually impaired resident from sexually abusing 18 vulnerable residents over 13 years.
The Brandon Report found the “devastating” abuse at St Joseph’s care centre in Stranorlar, took place over many years, with the “full knowledge” of management and staff.
The HSE told the paper that the individuals who held key management roles and who had responsibility for disability services during the relevant period either no longer work for the HSE or have since passed away.
Read the full report on www.independent.ie
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