A controversial of Leas Cross nursing home at the centre of a scandal over care of the elderly is to close.
John Aherne, the managing director and owner of Leas Cross nursing home in Swords, Co Dublin, said the home will close on August 1st.
The move comes days after the Government confirmed all deaths at the nursing home, and the deaths of residents in hospital after they were transferred from Leas Cross, would be independently investigated.
It is understood a highly critical report given to the Government last autumn raised serious questions about the level of care in Leas Cross and noted an unusually high number of deaths of patients who had been transferred to the home from a nearby psychiatric unit.
A statement from Leas Cross said: "Mr Aherne informed residents, families, staff and the Health Service Executive (HSE) Northern Area, that due to the actions of the HSE, it was no longer possible, financially or operationally, to continue providing a nursing home service."
The facility came under fire after RTÉ's Prime Timeinvestigative programme revealed footage of what appeared to be an elderly woman restrained in a chair against her will, a care worker harassing a resident and other incidents.
The HSE took steps to remove its own clients from the home in Swords because of concerns over the level of care and patient safety.
It also said it would advise private clients and their relatives to move out of the home and to find other accommodation.
Mr Aherne has in the past defended the operation at Leas Cross, saying he and his staff were providing the best possible care for patients and residents.
He and his wife took action in the High Court in an attempt to prevent the original Prime Timereport being broadcast, but they were unsuccessful. However, the judge did not preclude further legal action by the Ahernes.
Additional reporting: PA