Residents with intellectual disabilities 'punched, kicked, hit, and had hair pulled'

The centre is operated by St John of God Community Services Company Limited and was the subject of an unannounced inspection by the health watchdog last November, on foot of what Hiqa said was solicited and unsolicited information.

“Scared” residents at a centre for people with intellectual disabilities did not feel safe due to incidents which included physical assaults such as being punched, kicked, hit and their hair being pulled.

An inspection report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) into the Liffey 4 centre in Dublin 24 found in one incident a resident "appeared frightened and was shaking and sobbing". Others said they were angry and frustrated about having to remain in their bedroom a lot of the time, adding "I always get threatened".