A Dublin-based company has denied in court two allegations that it failed to provide a high standard of care at a nursing home it operates in Co Meath.
However, Devey Healthcare Limited, St Doolagh's Park, Malahide Road, Balgriffin, Co Dublin, the registered owners of Delvin Lodge nursing home in Gormanston, did plead guilty to seven other offences.
It appeared before Drogheda District Court yesterday where it also faced summonses relating to Castle Lodge, Sea Road, Castlebellingham, Co Louth, another nursing home it operates.
Twenty-five summonses related to Delvin Lodge and eight to Castle Lodge.
They allege various breaches of the Nursing Home Care and Welfare Regulations 1993 and the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990.
Judge Flann Brennan was told by Kevin Seagrave, for the Health Service Executive, that seven summonses were being admitted in relation to Delvin Lodge, two were being contested by the company and that the remaining could be struck out.
The guilty pleas relate to offences at Delvin Lodge on July 5th and 6th, 2005 and on the September 5th, 2005, and include neglecting to take precautions against the risk of accidents, failing to provide a bound register including times and causes of death, and failing to keep records of medical conditions.
The court was also told the company was contesting two summonses alleging that on July 5th, 2005 it failed to provide a high standard of nursing care at Delvin Lodge.
After an application by John Martin, on behalf of the company, Judge Brennan said that statements of specific evidence to be given by the witnesses from the HSE should be provided to the defendant.
He did not hear any evidence and adjourned all matters relating to both nursing homes to a date to be finalised next month.The summonses relating to Castle Lodge were also adjourned.