Man ordered to leave nursing home

A MAN accused of abusing staff at a nursing home has been given until noon on Monday to find alternative accommodation.

The management of Abbot Close nursing home in Askeaton, Co Limerick, had claimed Jim Hourigan, 57, had caused continuing problems and alleged he had sexually abused one member of staff.

Last week Limerick Circuit Court gave Mr Hourigan until October 31 to vacate. But, following more problems, the nursing home came back to court. As a result, Judge Carroll Moran shortened the stay until next Monday.

The manager of the nursing home, Denis McElligott, denied in court yesterday he had abused his position by having a staff member — who made the sexual abuse allegation — tend to Mr Hourigan when giving out medication with another staff member.

Mr Hourigan, who caused a major security alert in September 2006 when he threatened to set off an explosion at a house in Roscrea, had been living in a house on the grounds of Abbot Close.

He originally went there in January to recover after surgery at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital. His first three weeks there were paid for by the HSE. The home claimed Mr Hourigan ran up bills of more than €3,500.

He created an alert last week when a suicide note was found in No 17, the house where he had been staying.

When the case was re-entered on Wednesday, Judge Moran ordered Mr Hourigan to stay away from the main nursing home building and not to contact staff or residents.

At yesterday’s hearing, 82-year-old Eva Neville, who lives in a house next to the one occupied by Mr Hourigan, said he was a very good neighbour to her and had carried out repairs at her home.

She said Mr Hourigan had been suffering for the past four days because he wasn’t given his medication.

She said the management of the home had driven him out of his mind by making the sexual abuse allegation.

Mr Hourigan openly wept in court as Ms Neville gave her evidence.