Gardaí silent on claims five care workers face charges

Gardaí have said it would be “inappropriate to comment” on reports that five members of a Co Mayo care home are to be charged with assault following an investigation into care standards at the HSE-run facility.

A garda inquiry into behaviour of staff at Áras Attracta in Swinford began on foot of an RTÉ Prime Time programme last year which featured undercover footage of elderly residents being shouted at, physically restrained, slapped, and force-fed.

A total of 13 staff members were suspended following the programme, ‘Inside Bungalow 3’, and in addition to a garda investigation, the HSE and Hiqa, the health watchdog, launched their own investigations.