Creche challenges reports of lawsuits

A director of one of the three creches featured in an RTÉ Prime Time exposé has challenged reports that parents are planning to sue.

James Hargrave, director of the Little Harvard childcare chain, said he had no knowledge of any claims being prepared by law firm Lavelle Coleman against the company arising out of the breaches filmed at its creche in Rathnew, Co Wicklow.

“Little Harvard has received no correspondence from Messrs Lavelle Coleman outlining a complaint or complaints by parents and do not expect to receive such complaints,” he said.

“We are not the subject of civil proceedings by any parents of children, and no indication of intention to bring proceedings has been received by us in respect of the RTÉ broadcast.”

He added: “Similarly, no indication has been given by An Garda Síochána to us that a formal Garda investigation has been or will be commenced in respect of material contained in the RTÉ programme.”

The other two facilities featured in the broadcast were Giraffe in Stepaside and Links in Malahide, both part of chains. Giraffe yesterday had nobody available to comment. Links did not reply to queries.

However, lawsuits are thought likely following the exposé, which showed undercover footage of workers manhandling children, using excessive constraints, falsifying attendance records, and texting while on duty.

Around 20 couples and parents are believed to have instructed solicitors to take cases on their behalf for distress and return of creche fees and separately on behalf of their children for distress and in some cases, assault.

It is also possible they will take action against the HSE for failure to properly police standards at the facilities.

The HSE said it was not aware of any cases pending against it but would cooperate in any that might arise.

Two workers suspended from Links have begun legal proceedings against their employer, claiming statements made in the wake of the programme were defamatory. More recently they have lodged papers with the High Court signalling the start of defamation proceedings against RTÉ.

RTÉ said it could not comment on legal matters.