Photos of children placed online without permission, court told

An employee in an Enable Ireland disability centre has allegedly posted photographs of children on social media without permission, the Circuit Civil Court was told on Friday.

Barrister Mary Fay told the court that Enable Ireland Disability Services Ltd had become aware earlier this month that information co-ordinator Caroline Sheehan, who works at one of its centres at Sandymount Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin, had allegedly posted pictures of children from the centre on her Twitter account.

Ms Fay told Circuit Court president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that Ms Sheehan had allegedly failed to remove the publicly accessible images of the children, who are under six years old and are clearly identifiable, from her Twitter account, despite several requests to do so.

Injunctions sought

Judge Groarke heard the company was looking for injunctions restraining Ms Sheehan, with addresses at Tritonville Road, Sandyford, Dublin, and Fingal Street, Rialto, Dublin and who has been suspended on full pay pending an investigation on the matter, from attending the Sandymount centre.

The judge allowed Enable Ireland to make its application ex-parte (one side only) after hearing that attempts had been made to serve Ms Sheehan, who did not attend the court and was not legally represented on Friday, with the proceedings.

Ms Fay said the images had been posted online without permission from Enable Ireland and/or the children’s parents. A formal complaint had been made to Twitter.

Enable Ireland claimed Ms Sheehan’s alleged behaviour was in breach of data protection and privacy laws.

The judge heard that Ms Sheehan, when informed of her suspension, had allegedly refused to leave the Sandymount Centre, which takes care of more than 400 children and employs 100 people, and had needed to be removed on several occasions with the assistance of An Garda Síochána.

In an affidavit, John O’Sullivan, national director of services and community fundraising at Enable Ireland, claimed Ms Sheehan, when being removed by gardaí, had insisted she leave the centre through its front door, in “full view” of children and parents, to “draw the most attention to the event”.

Mr O’Sullivan claimed Enable Ireland had needed to engage a private security company for its Sandymount centre following the incidents, as it is concerned Ms Sheehan’s alleged behaviour would have an effect on the service provided to children.

The court heard staff members have expressed concern for their own safety, and Ms Sheehan’s alleged actions leave Enable Ireland exposed to potential claims from its service users and employees.

Disturbance alleged

Mr O’Sullivan claimed Ms Sheehan’s alleged behaviour had caused considerable disturbance and nuisance to staff members and service users.

The court heard Ms Sheehan was not currently authorised or entitled to attend the Sandymount centre.

Judge Groarke on Friday granted Enable Ireland an interim injunction restraining Ms Sheehan from attending or entering the Sandymount centre, or any premises owned by Enable Ireland, until she is permitted to return to work.

He also granted an injunction restraining Ms Sheehan from interacting with employees and children at the centre.

Judge Groarke, directing Ms Sheehan be served with the proceedings, adjourned the matter to next week.