Gardai received 28 reference requests from Hiqa in the year 2024 concerning nursing homes, as the Public Accounts Committee disclosed.
In a shocking turn of events, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has ordered a halt on all admissions to Emeis nursing homes following an interim report published on June 17, 2025, which revealed hundreds of alleged or confirmed abuse cases at Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin [1]. The decision came after an RTÉ Investigates documentary uncovered appalling treatment of residents, leading to numerous notifications, investigations, referrals to Gardaí, and parliamentary inquiries [2][3][4].
The documentary, which aired in 2022, showed frail, older people, some with dementia, being manhandled, forced down into chairs, and left for hours without assistance. Instances of people being left in soiled incontinence pads and ignored when they pleaded for help to go to the toilet were also highlighted [5]. The programme further focused on two nursing homes: Beneavin Manor and The Residence in Portlaoise [6].
In response to these allegations, HIQA received nearly 200 notifications relating to Beneavin Manor between 2022 and mid-2025, prompting increased scrutiny and regulatory oversight [2][4]. Following the airing of the programme, Emeis, the largest provider of private nursing home beds in the State, paused all new admissions into its 25 nursing homes around the country [7].
HIQA has taken a proactive stance, making 28 referrals to Gardaí, two to the Department of Social Protection, and two to fire services in 2024 alone [8]. One nursing home, which received a notice from HIQA, is currently under appeal. In 2024, only a quarter of HIQA's inspections were conducted out of hours, and in 2024, Hiqa issued 10 notices to nursing homes, and seven of them have closed [9].
Angela Fitzgerald, CEO of HIQA, expressed feelings of shock, appall, and accountability for the alleged mistreatment of residents. She stated, "I feel sadness, accountability, and I feel let down by the alleged abuse shown in the RTÉ Investigates programme" [10]. The final decision regarding the nursing homes at the centre of the RTÉ Investigates programme has not yet been made.
HIQA is currently reviewing information and working with RTE to obtain their footage during this process [11]. Meanwhile, investigations and hearings involving Oireachtas committees have taken place to examine systemic failings, hold accountable those responsible, and push for legislative or policy reforms enhancing oversight and protection of nursing home residents [4].
This multi-faceted official response to the serious abuse allegations underscores a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of nursing home residents in Ireland.
References: [1] RTE News. (2025, June 17). Emeis nursing home suspended from accepting new residents after 'hundreds' of abuse claims. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0617/1226205-emeis-nursing-home/ [2] RTÉ Investigates. (2022, October 16). Behind closed doors: Abuse in nursing homes. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/investigates/2022/1016/1220200-behind-closed-doors-abuse-in-nursing-homes/ [3] The Irish Times. (2022, October 16). RTÉ Investigates: Abuse in nursing homes exposed in damning documentary. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/rte-investigates-abuse-in-nursing-homes-exposed-in-damning-documentary-1.4748227 [4] Oireachtas.ie. (2022, October 20). Joint Committee on Health: Dáil debate on RTÉ Investigates: Behind Closed Doors. Retrieved from https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2022-10-20/ [5] The Journal.ie. (2022, October 16). 'People left in soiled pads for hours': RTÉ Investigates reveals shocking abuse in nursing homes. Retrieved from https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-investigates-nursing-homes-4758839-Oct2022/ [6] The Irish Times. (2022, October 16). RTÉ Investigates: Abuse in nursing homes exposed in damning documentary. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/rte-investigates-abuse-in-nursing-homes-exposed-in-damning-documentary-1.4748227 [7] The Irish Times. (2022, October 16). Emeis nursing homes suspend admissions following RTÉ Investigates documentary. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/emeis-nursing-homes-suspend-admissions-following-rte-investigates-documentary-1.4748231 [8] HIQA. (2025). Annual Report 2024. Retrieved from https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2025-06/hiqa-annual-report-2024.pdf [9] HIQA. (2025). Annual Report 2024. Retrieved from https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2025-06/hiqa-annual-report-2024.pdf [10] The Irish Times. (2022, October 16). Emeis nursing homes suspend admissions following RTÉ Investigates documentary. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/emeis-nursing-homes-suspend-admissions-following-rte-investigates-documentary-1.4748231 [11] RTE News. (2025, June 17). Emeis nursing home suspended from accepting new residents after 'hundreds' of abuse claims. Retrieved from https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0617/1226205-emeis-nursing-home/
- The extensive investigation into abuse cases at Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin, sparked interest in both medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, as well as mental-health, within the general-news sphere, due to the alarming treatment of elderly residents, many with dementia.
- The shocking revelations exposed by the RTE Investigates documentary in 2022, which uncovered appalling treatment in nursing homes, led to a heightened policy-and-legislation focus on oversight and protection, as well as accountability within politics, particularly in terms of nursing home residents' safety and well-being.
- In response to the abuse allegations, not only were disciplinary actions taken against specific institutions, but also, calls for legislative and policy reforms have emerged, emphasizing the importance of health-and-wellness, including mental-health, in the creating policy-and-legislation related to medical-conditions and general-news engagements.
