Care home owner denies harassing nurse

The owner of a private nursing home has denied he "harassed" a nurse under his watch or suggested she cool down on a hot summer day by "opening the top buttons of your blouse".

Sean Kelly, owner of Thomond Lodge nursing home in Longford, rejected the claims during a four-hour cross-examination of his evidence against Mary Elizabeth Mealy, on the third day of her fitness-to-practise hearing yesterday.

Ms Mealy, aged 41, is facing being struck off by nursing body An Bord Altranais over a professional misconduct charge relating to her time as director of care at the midlands nursing home.