Gardaí are investigating allegations that a woman with special needs was sexually assaulted in a care home during periods of the Covid-19 lockdown when family visits were cancelled or curtailed and her relatives had no access to her.
The allegations, including rape, emerged when the woman, who has intellectual disabilities, went to stay in her family home for a time last year.
The woman’s family had concerns about her welfare, which she later confirmed. While she has difficulty communicating verbally, she was able to make a disclosure to her family, who brought her to be examined by their local doctor.
The facility where she was living – a private provider in receipt of HSE funding – was also informed. The allegation centres around one member of staff at the facility and the Garda investigation is now based on him.
It is alleged that the woman was raped and otherwise sexually abused by the man during a period of strict pandemic restrictions.
The facility where the abuse is alleged to have taken place specialises in caring for people with disabilities. Visits at such centres were cancelled or curtailed for much of the time after the restrictions were introduced in March 2020.
The Garda investigation into the alleged abuse began last year. It is not yet clear when it might conclude or when a file could be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is understood that the man against whom the allegations have been made is not currently working at the residential facility.
Garda headquarters confirmed that an allegation of sexual assault at a care home facility was under investigation by detectives from Divisional Protective Services Unit. The units, which are being established in all Garda divisions, specialise in the investigation of sexual crimes and other offences with vulnerable victims.
The woman and her family are being supported by Care Champions, an advocacy group for people who need care support in the community and residents of care homes and their families.
The group called for the new gender-based violence strategy and any forthcoming safeguarding legislation “to recognise the unique needs of people who may not be able to speak up and report alleged abuse”.
Spokeswoman Majella Beattie said it was "much harder for people with certain disabilities or cognitive impairments like dementia to get justice" when they experience abuse.
“Gardaí often tell families that the victim is not considered a reliable witness so a criminal prosecution is unlikely,” she said. “This means that those who are least able to protect themselves and are most vulnerable to abuse, receive less justice in our system. We cannot watch on as this continues to happen. We need action now.”
