Taoiseach keeps option open of independent inquiry into Áras Attracta

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he is not ruling out an independent inquiry into the mistreatment of residents at the Áras Attracta disability centre in Swinford, Co Mayo.

He told the Dáil there was a need to first conclude investigations under way. “We will see what happens, put that in the system . . . It should not happen anywhere else,” he said.

Mr Kenny was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams who said there was a need for an independent inquiry into what had happened in Áras Attracta.

Mr Kenny joined the two party leaders in praising the RTÉ Prime Time programme that exposed the mistreatment. He said he found the revelations in the programme "absolutely sickening".

“This was frightening, sickening, infuriating . . . People legitimately asked how could this happen in 2014 with trained nurses, [and] healthcare workers,” he said.

“It was not an example of care: it was an example of control over fragile, vulnerable, voiceless people.”

Mr Kenny said the content of the programme had been handed over to the Garda, and he did not want to say anything that would prejudice the outcome of the investigation or whether or not criminal prosecutions would take place.

Service providers meeting He said that the chief executives of the service providers had been called together for a meeting next Tuesday. It would be asked whether this was an isolated incident, he said.

Mr Martin said the House would be united in anger and horror at the revelations. They were truly shocking and represented the violation of the human rights of senior citizens with intellectual disabilities.

“They had their basic human rights violated to an extraordinary degree. They were subject to torture, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and the treatment was, without question, degrading,” he said.

It was clear that an inquiry independent of the HSE and the Health Information and Quality Authority was needed, he said.

Mr Martin expressed disappointment with the Taoiseach’s response, adding there was a compelling need for an independent inquiry.

“One could be established that would not jeopardise any criminal proceedings. There are fundamental issues that go to the heart of what happened at Áras Attracta that need independent investigation, separate from the HSE and Hiqa,” he added.

He said there had been a fundamental breach of trust.

Shocking insight Mr Adams said the programme had provided a shocking insight into the treatment of vulnerable citizens with intellectual disabilities.

“What we witnessed was nothing less than the vile physical, mental and emotional abuse of the most vulnerable of our citizens,” he said.

Mr Adams said a fully independent, thorough investigation should be put in place.

He said that while the HSE had ordered an investigation under an independent chairman, the national association for people with intellectual disabilities, Inclusion Ireland, had said it was not adequate.

The issue was also raised by Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who said he knew first-hand the great work so many employed in the sector performed.

“I have a brother with an intellectual disability in a HSE care home. This drip-drip exposé of dreadful behaviour by some must also deeply hurt those who are true carers in these settings,” he said.