Gardaí assessing financial irregularities in nursing home group

'A criminal investigation has not commenced, at this time,' a Garda spokesman said. Picture: Dan Linehan

Gardaí are continuing to assess financial irregularities in Aperee Living nursing homes under their former governing structure.

It follows referral of concerns by health regulator Hiqa (Health and Information Quality Authority).

Ultimately, three of the 10 homes lost their registration, including Aperee Living Belgooly, which led to residents having to move at short notice.

Hiqa chief inspector of social services Carol Grogan told the Oireachtas Health Committee in early October she had referred matters to gardaí.

A Garda spokesman said its assessment as to whether the issues in that referral required investigation continues.

“A criminal investigation has not commenced, at this time,” he said this week.

Among the financial concerns are in at least one home residents’ money was used to pay ongoing costs of the centre, and in at least two homes residents’ money was lodged into the centre’s operating account.

Inspectors at the Belgooly home said systems for managing residents’ pensions were “wholly inadequate”.

Money from a joint residents’ account had been transferred and appeared to have been used to support another company.

Chef Emer Coughlan said the problems had come as a shock to staff.

“We all feel very hurt over the reports of bad management or care for residents, over what Hiqa has been saying,” she told the Irish Examiner previously. 

“We are upset, and we are ashamed to say we are working with this company.” 

Senator Tim Lombard has called for an assessment of the implications of so many nursing homes closing at once.

Aperee Living was taken over in November by investors headed by Paul Kingston, who had served as chief executive up to June 2022.