Assault charges against care workers, which relied on video footage filmed covertly for RTÉ's Prime Time programme, were "tainted with illegality", a barrister said in court yesterday.
Eoin Garavan told Judge Mary Devins at a District Court sitting in Ballina that RTÉ had “recklessly revealed” the identities of the six HSE personnel who were employed at the HSE-run Áras Attracta centre in Swinford.
Judge Devins heard submissions from lawyers representing the six accused on the admissibility of video evidence.
Joan Gill, of Dublin Road, Swinford, faces five charges of assault at Áras Attracta in mid-November last. The other five face one charge of assault each. They are Pat McLoughlin, Claremorris; Anna Ywunong Bostimbo, Charlestown; Kathleen King, Foxford, Co Mayo; Christine Delaney, Hollymount, Co Mayo; and Joan Walsh, Curry, Co Sligo.
State Solicitor for Mayo, Vincent Deane, said the footage had been filmed by an undercover reporter. It was the sole evidence by which the State could secure a conviction, he said. The alleged victims were vulnerable intellectually disabled people who would not be able to give evidence. Judge Devins said she will announce her decision on Friday.