21 cases of care home abuse probed

More than 20 staff at HSE homes for people with severe intellectual disabilities have been suspended or sacked since January 2014 over physical, financial and sexual abuse claims unrelated to the Áras Attracta scandal.

Documents obtained by the Irish Examiner show the HSE is examining 21 cases at seven more facilities amid ongoing public concern the abuse at the Co Mayo home is being repeated elsewhere.

Freedom of Information records revealed as the first Áras Attracta court hearing took place yesterday, and as two Hiqa reports into separate scandals were published, confirm the HSE is aware of a spate of other incidents under review since January 2014.