'Emily' report: 'Highly probable' more elderly women were abused by nursing home worker

In July of this year the HSE said files of 21 other residents had been referred to the Gardai on foot of concerns around potential sexual abuse. File picture: Denis Minihane

A report into sexual abuse of elderly women in a HSE-run nursing home has found it is “highly probable” many more victims could be found, in addition to the 22 previously identified.

This follows investigations into how an elderly woman known as ‘Emily’ was raped by a staff member, known as Mr Z. He was subsequently convicted and received an 11‐year prison sentence in July 2020.

He had worked at the home for 16 years, and the HSE said on Friday that “over that period of time several hundred residents were cared for there.” In July of this year the HSE said files of 21 other residents had been referred to the Gardai on foot of concerns around potential sexual abuse.

However, this latest report has found if more files are investigated it is highly probable “further indicators of possible harm will be found”. This follows widespread concern the original investigations were not thorough enough.

The new report was undertaken by independent safeguarding expert Jackie McIlroy and involved a review of the first reports as well as interviews with families and staff.

One family member told her: “Women who contributed so much in their lives, left without a voice in their golden years and now again denied a voice when they need to be most heard.” 

Ms McIlroy found 79 residents’ files had been selected for the first reviews. “It was determined by the Serious Incident Management Team at that time, that it was a priority to complete the review of this first group of 79 resident files by November 2021.” 

In order to meet that time-frame, they focused on 32 residents where concerns had already been highlighted by families or staff. Referrals to An Garda Siochana were made in 21 of those 32 cases, a fact which the HSE made public this summer.

However, Ms McIllroy said the decision not to continue reviewing all 79 cases was “a missed opportunity”. She said this should have been done when information was fresh in people’s minds.

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Responding to this Mr Gloster said: “The HSE absolutely accepts Ms McIlroy’s view on this, and her recommendation that a further investigation of residents’ files is undertaken to cover the period of Mr Z’s employment.

“She has advised us that, in her view, it is highly probable that if a further examination of residents’ records is conducted, further indicators of possible harm will be found.” The HSE intends to write to families of any resident at the unit during that time, in collaboration with the resident if possible.

“We absolutely recognise how difficult and distressing this will be for families and we are committed to undertaking this process as sensitively and compassionately as possible, fully respecting the wishes of individual families,” he said.

The HSE said, arising from the trial, “there is an order prohibiting the identification of Emily and of the nursing home concerned.” 

Mr Gloster said: “I would like to once again offer my deepest apologies to Emily’s family and recognise the devastating impact of this horrific attack. I have met them again this week, and they have been provided with a copy of Jackie McIlroy’s report.

“The report has also been shared with the families of the other residents about whom safeguarding concerns were previously identified and referrals made to An Garda Síochána.”