SEVEN children who have lived at a Sisters of Mercy home for years may be split up following an unexplained decision by the order to close it.
The Eastern Health Board was given six weeks to find alternative accommodation for the group of boys and girls who are in their early teens.
The home is Ard Aoibhinn which is part of St Kyran's residential facility at Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. St Kyran's was recently in the news when it emerged that Sister Xavieria, the nun alleged to have mistreated children at the order's Goldenbridge orphanage in Dublin, had completed her career there.
A spokeswoman for the Mercy Order denied the controversy had anything to do with the closure but declined to explain it.
In a brief statement, headed. "Rationalisation of Child Care Facilities at Rathdrum", the order said. "Some three weeks ago, after full consideration, we decided to close one of our child care facilities Ard Aoibhinn at Saint Kyran's, Rathdrum. The decision will be effective from August 31st, 1996. In the interests of all concerned, children and staff, we will not be making any further comment. The Eastern Health Board has been fully apprised of the situation.
The move will come as a blow to the Eastern Health Board which has difficulties placing children because of shortage of residential places and foster homes. The EHB said yesterday it was "looking at revised care plans for them."
One observer said the chances that the children would be split up were very high.
The health board would have great difficulty finding suitable placements for the children in the time allowed.