Commission of inquiry 'may not be best way' to probe 23 Covid nursing home deaths

The managing director of Dealgan House Nursing Home in Dundalk, Co Louth has confirmed the deaths of 23 residents at the home since 1 April, many of which he says were Covid-19 related.

The Taoiseach has said a commission of inquiry into more than 20 Covid-related deaths at Dealgan House nursing home during the first year of the pandemic may not be the 'optimal way' to investigate the issue.

Micheál Martin was responding to a call from Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd for an inquiry into the deaths of 23 residents in the Dundalk nursing home in April 2020. The HSE subsequently took over the operational management of the home after concerns were raised.