Patsy McGarry
The father of a middle-aged, mildly autistic woman who says she was raped over an 11-year period by fellow-residents at a psychiatric hospital in the midlands has confirmed he did not put the allegations to the hospital but rather went directly to gardaí.
Just after Christmas he and his daughter had gone to gardaí in the town where the hospital is and discussed the allegations with two Garda sergeants there.
He hadn't gone to the hospital as authorities there had "flatly denied" neglect of his daughter following a query from the Department of Health last year. That followed a letter he had written to the Department.
Besides, "Séan" said last night his concern was for the welfare of his daughter, "not the niceties of putting complaints in writing to send to some official or other".
There was a serious lack of facilities for autistic adults in this State. "My daughter has yet to receive one hour's therapy in this country," he said.
A health board statement yesterday said: "In relation to an article in today's Irish Times concerning allegations of rape at a Midland Health Board psychiatric hospital, the board can confirm that it has received no notice of such an allegation.
"The board has had no contact from the Garda in relation to such an allegation, and from initial contacts with the Garda we understand they have not received any statement of complaint in this regard. If any such allegations are made, the board will fully investigate them."
A second statement last night read: "In relation to The Irish Times article (9 January 2004) in which an allegation of rape in a midlands psychiatric hospital was made, the board wishes to confirm the following: no allegation of rape, as reported in the above-mentioned article, has been made to the board. The board was first informed of the allegations of rape when an Irish Times reporter contacted the board on the evening of 8 January, 2004.
"The Midland Health Board follows the national good practice guidelines in relation to any allegation of abuse of a patient in a psychiatric hospital. Previous complaints made by the father mentioned in the article in relation to aspects of his daughter's care were fully investigated, but no allegation of rape was ever made.
"The investigation of a complaint of rape would involve, under the national good practice guidelines: notification of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals; notification of the board's senior management; validation of the complaint; Garda notification.
"The board will fully co-operate with any Garda investigation, and is anxious that these matters are fully resolved. The board would be most concerned that any patient in its care would not be treated with dignity and respect, and it will be conducting a full investigation of the allegations."
The relevant hospital was contacted by The Irish Times on Thursday and given full details of the allegations. The matter was referred to a health board spokeswoman. She said the board had no comment to make.