Man settles action over 'punishment regime' at Tipperary special needs home

It was claimed he was made to do hard labour as punishment, including pushing a loaded wheelbarrow with a flat tyre

The man's counsel told the High Court that Derek Slater was subjected to 'what would be now called abuse' and it had a devastating effect on the then 31-year old man. File photo: Laura Hutton/RollingNews.ie

A man who was subjected to a “punishment regime” including cold showers at a Tipperary home for those with special needs has settled a High Court action for €400,000.

Camphill Communities of Ireland also apologised in the High Court to Derek Slater who is now 51 years of age and expressed regret for failing to protect and support him when he attended the community home at Grangemockler, Co Tipperary, 20 years ago.

His counsel, David Kennedy SC, told the court that Mr Slater was subjected to “what would be now called abuse” and it had a devastating effect on the then 31-year old man who is on the autism spectrum and is moderately disabled.

Counsel told the court that Mr Slater from Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary, had been a resident of the Camphill Community at Grangemockler since 1995, but his family noticed between 2004 and 2006 he regressed and did not want to return there after weekends at home.

Counsel said it was of great concern to the Slater family and it appeared from a later HSE case review that a young member of the staff at the time had devised a behaviour plan for Derek which counsel said involved a “punishment regime where Mr Slater was subjected to a shower which was run cold then hot then cold again.” 

Counsel said if Mr Slater reacted he was locked in a room and he was also “subjected to a type of hard labour where he had to push a wheelbarrow with a flat tyre". Mr Kennedy told the judge: “It beggars belief it can happen in the recent past.” 

Derek Slater, aged 51, of Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary, had through his mother Eileen Slater sued Camphill Communities of Ireland with registered offices at Brannockistown, Co Kildare, over his treatment at the community at Grangemockler, Co Tipperary, between 2004 and 2006.

It was claimed he was subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment, threatened and given cold showers and also locked in his room as punishment. It was further claimed he was made to do hard labour as punishment, including pushing a loaded wheelbarrow with a flat tyre.

Apology

Counsel told the court liability was admitted in the case but causation remained at issue. He said the family welcomed and acknowledged the apology given in a letter read to the court.

In the letter, the current CEO of Camphill Communities of Ireland, Louise Gorman, on behalf of the executive team and board of directors extended “our most heartfelt apology for the distress and suffering you experienced while in our care. We are truly sorry that we did not provide the safe and nurturing environment that you deserved.” 

It added: “Your experiences are deeply concerning to us and we regret that we failed to protect and support you. We understand that this has had a lasting impact on your life and we acknowledge the pain and hardship you and your family have endured. 

“We are fully committed to learning from the past and ensuring that such failures never happen again. Over the years we have taken significant steps to improve our safeguarding policies, staff training and oversight processes to provide the highest standard of care and support for those we serve.

”While we know that no words can undo the past, we hope that this acknowledgment and sincere apology offer some measure of comfort to you and your family as you continue your journey forward. Please know we are committed to ensuring that all individuals within our care are treated with the kindness, dignity and the respect they deserve.” 

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable. The judge said it had been a long road and it had ended in vindication of Mr Slater with the apology read in court.