Hiqa made garda referrals over Emeis nursing homes after abuse concerns

Hiqa said on Thursday the programme showed "unacceptable care practices" in two nursing homes owned by Emeis Ireland. File picture

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) made two referrals to An Garda Síochána concerning Athlunkard House Nursing Home in Co Clare, part of the Emeis Ireland nursing home group, last year, among a number of concerns identified across the group's facilities.

The referrals follow a year of heightened scrutiny of the Emeis group after an RTÉ Investigates programme broadcast this time last year.

Hiqa said on Thursday the programme showed "unacceptable care practices" in two nursing homes owned by Emeis Ireland.

It also published inspection reports into 24 nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland on Thursday.

The list does not include the two homes featured in the RTÉ programme because of ongoing legal proceedings.

Hiqa said that between June 2025 and June 2026 it made three referrals to An Garda Síochána and 15 referrals to other agencies concerning homes included in the list of 24.

At Athlunkard House Nursing Home in Westbury, Co Clare, the two Garda referrals, made in August 2025, related to incidents of alleged or confirmed abuse of a resident.

Its report also said other concerns included "the systems in place for the assessment and delivery of care to residents, staff training, residents’ rights, infection control and governance and management."

A third garda referral, made in March 2026, related to Ashley Lodge Nursing Home in Co Kildare. It also concerned an incident of alleged or confirmed abuse of a resident.

In that case, inspectors said the home had "a relatively good regulatory history" overall.

The list of 24 nursing homes also included Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home in Newport, Co Tipperary.

While the centre was found compliant with many standards, inspectors sought further action on the notification of incidents, as well as resident assessments and care plans.

Overall, between June 2025 and June 12, 2026, Hiqa met providers within the Emeis Ireland group at one cautionary meeting and four warning meetings.

In addition to the garda referrals, it made five referrals to the Health and Safety Authority.

It also made four referrals to the Workplace Relations Commission and two to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

A further referral was made to each of the Medical Council, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, a Fire Authority and a county council.

During that period, seven of the 24 centres had restrictions placed on them by the regulator. These included, in some cases, halting the admission of new residents until deficiencies in care had been addressed.

The seven centres were Beach Hill Manor Private Nursing Home, Brentwood Manor Private Nursing Home and Brindley Manor Private Nursing Home, all in Co Donegal.

The list also included Firstcare Beneavin House in Dublin, Firstcare Blainroe Lodge in Co Wicklow, The Residence Carton and The Residence Santry, both in Dublin.

As of mid-June 2026, two homes — Brentwood Manor Private Nursing Home and The Residence Santry — remained subject to restrictions.

Hiqa also explained why the two homes featured in the RTÉ Investigates programme — The Residence Portlaoise and Firstcare Beneavin Manor — were not included in this set of reports.

"We are awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings in which Hiqa is seeking access to all video footage used in the making of the television programme," it said.