One of the HSE employees who had been charged with assault on elderly residents of the Áras Attracta care home in Swinford following the broadcast of a RTÉ Investigations Unit programme showing undercover footage of practices in the home last December, is to plead guilty to three charges of assault at Swinford District Court sitting in Ballina on Wednesday morning was told.
Joan Gill (62 ), with an address at Dublin Road, Swinford, pleaded guilty to three of the five charges against her on a full facts basis, the full fact will be outlined to Judge Mary Devins at a sitting of the court in the new year, after which Gill will be sentenced.
Five other staff who have been charged with a single count of assault, Pat McLoughlin, Lalibella, Mayfield, Claremorris; Anna Ywunong Bostimbo, Lowpark Avenue, Charlestown; Kathleen King, Knockshanbally, Straide, Foxford; Christine Delaney, Lissatava, Hollymount; and Joan Walsh, Carrowilkeen, Curry, Co Sligo have all pleaded not guilty to the charge. They will all face trial at a special sitting of the District Court which will be held in Castlebar Court House which will be held from Monday January 4 to Friday January 8.
At a special sitting of the District Court last month Judge Devins ruled that the video footage shot by an undercover reporter as part of the RTE Investigations Unit programme would be admissible in these cases.
