‘No one should be handled like dad was' – Family go public after shocking Dublin care home exposé in ‘bigger issue' call
THE family of a vulnerable resident who appeared in a nursing home exposé has declared: 'No one should be handled like our father was.'
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Audeon Guy is a resident at Beneavin Manor nursing home
Credit: RTE
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Paul Guy described his shock and distress at seeing footage of his father's treatment
Credit: RTE
Both are run by
Amid the fallout from the explosive show, the Guy family described their shock and distress at seeing footage of their 80-year-old father Audeon being roughly handled at Beneavin Manor.
Seething son Paul Guy raged: 'No one should have to go through what we've seen.
'No one should be handled like our father was.
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"These are human people - people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that.'
Harrowing undercover
Undercover investigators posing as healthcare workers went inside the two
OAP Audeon's daughter Sarah says relatives were left distraught by the treatment of their beloved dad.
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She said: 'Our dad is the loveliest man.
'He'd do anything for you, really kind, loving, charitable and a big hugger.'
RTE Fair City viewers left saying same thing as Carrigstown favourite makes shock return
Dubliner Audeon was diagnosed with Lewy body
Unable to return home, Paul, Sarah and their other siblings Kassandra and Dave began the search for a suitable nursing home for their father.
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They turned to the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), and spent days sifting through the regulator's nursing home inspection reports.
Their father Audeon moved into Beneavin Manor in January 2025 where he was assigned one-to-one care.
Paul recalled: 'For Beneavin Manor we read the reports, and it seemed to be a very safe place to go.
"We looked at the brochures, I went and did the tour. It seemed to be fine.'
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FAMILY'S CONCERNS
But even before the
Paul explained: 'He was actually left alone many times.
'I have examples of him sitting on his own in the corridor ripping up pieces of paper which was meant to be some form of activity.
'I've witnessed him cold with a blanket wrapped around him and I've witnessed really poor personal care in terms of his toenails left for weeks to grow and rot.
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'On another day there was urine all over the floor in his bathroom and there was no toilet seat. It just seemed to be a consistent flow of poor care for people who are in dire need of attention.'
SWEEPING REVIEW
Hiqa chiefs have launched a sweeping review of all nursing homes operated by the shamed Emeis Ireland group, who operate 27 facilities across the country.
"These are human people - people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that.'
Paul Guy
But Paul demanded accountability.
He said: 'When I saw the actual footage, I was shocked, but it wasn't a revelation.
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'That's what is unfortunate. We had done everything.
"We put in all the complaints, notified everyone that was required, got responses back, acknowledgement of all their mistakes, plans being put in place, and this still happened, and it happened to all the other people in the footage as well.
'That's the bigger issue - there's no accountability for this.'
The Guy family also called for the Government to urgently enact the Adult Safeguarding Bill – a law which they say could protect vulnerable individuals like their father from harm, abuse and neglect.
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Watch the full interview tonight on RTE Prime Time on RTE One and RTE Player
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Undercover footage showed Audeon Guy being roughly handled
Credit: RTE
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Paul, Sarah, dad Audeon, Kassandra, and Dave in happier times
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Dublin Live
11 hours ago
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Family of nursing home patient says 'no one should be handled like dad was'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A family of a nursing home patient whose care was highlighted by RTE Investigates has alleged there was a "consistent flow of poor care". In a new episode broadcast on television last night, the family accused those responsible of failing "people who are in dire need of attention". Several accusations were made, including claims that a man was left alone in a corridor to tear pieces of paper, left cold with only a blanket, and that urine was "all over the floor". The programme was aired last week to allege multiple accusations of care failings for vulnerable residents at two nursing homes. These were identified in the broadcast as Residence in Portlaoise, and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin. HIQA confirmed that it would carry out a review of both nursing homes that are operated by the Emeis Ireland group, which is the country's largest provider of private nursing homes. The company has since issued apologies to residents and their families and vowed an in-depth review to immediately address the issues. (Image: RTE) Yesterday, family members of elderly man Audeon Guy, 80, spoke out about his care at Beneavin Manor. Mr Guy was identified as one of the vulnerable residents who appeared in the undercover documentary. His family has called for accountability and expressed their shock and distress at witnessing the footage of their father. Audeon's son Paul said: "No one should have to go through what we've seen. "No one should be handled like our father was. These are human people – people who lost their dignity and no one should have to go through that. Audeon's daughter Sarah said: "Our dad is the loveliest man. The nicest friend, neighbour, and best dad in the whole world." Paul and Sarah's father ended up in Beneavin Manor in January past after being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, which causes severe confusion and hallucinations, following a bad fall last year. (Image: RTE) A HIQA inspection of the nursing home last November reported that residents were happy and that the centre was well managed. But the Guy family developed several concerns about the facility in recent months and made complaints. The family is now searching for new care for him and has urged the Government to enact a new law - the Adult Safeguarding Bill - to protect vulnerable individuals. Paul said: "[Father] was actually left alone many times. I have examples of him sitting on his own in the corridor ripping up pieces of paper which was meant to be some form of activity. "It happened to all the other people in the footage as well. That's the bigger issue: there's no accountability for this." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Sunday World
15 hours ago
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The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Take immediate action' demand issued to Govt after ‘shocking' nursing home exposé amid calls for regulation overhaul
THE Government has been urged to urgently overhaul regulation of private nursing homes following a shocking exposé . An 2 The leader slammed 'systematic' ageism Credit: Getty Images 2 She blasted Michael Martin in calls for immediate action Credit: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Both are run by Ireland's top private nursing home provider Emeis Ireland, who have apologised for the failings. Hiqa chiefs have now launched a sweeping review of all nursing homes operated by Emeis Ireland, who run 27 facilities across the country. But as the Speaking during Leaders' Questions, Bacik called for the establishment of a statutory adult safeguarding framework and a root-and-branch review of Hiqa's inspection practices. READ MORE IN NEWS And the Labour supremo insisted there must be 'accountability' for 'profit-driven neglect of older people'. She said: 'The scenes revealed on RTE last Thursday were shocking – but for many, sadly, not surprising. "We saw vulnerable older people in private nursing homes being manhandled, neglected and humiliated. They were calling out for help and being ignored. "Staff were using incontinence pads as makeshift sheets because of equipment shortages. This is nothing short of systemic abuse. Most read in Irish News 'Twenty years on from Leas Cross, the public is once again reeling. But despite expressions of sympathy and tributes to RTE Investigates, the Taoiseach's response today fell far short. 'NO TIMELINE' "There was no timeline for change, no real accountability, and no mention of the voices that are still missing – the residents themselves. 'Absent from this debate are the people living in these institutions – out of sight and too often out of mind. If we are honest, systemic ageism has allowed a substandard care system to grow across our country. "And it is deeply disturbing that so many families feel petrified about the thought of ageing or moving into a nursing home. I've heard from people whose loved ones were injured or denied basic medication. "They tried to advocate, but were met with silence from Hiqa, the Ombudsman, or the HSA. This is utterly unacceptable." 'BEYOND BELIEF' The Labour leader continued: 'Hiqa, which was established after Leas Cross to prevent further abuse, is not fulfilling its duties. Reports are relied on by families – but in too many cases, they are misleading and dangerous. "It is beyond belief that Hiqa has been asked to lead the review of nursing home standards, despite its failure to spot the very abuses RTE exposed. "The public deserves better. Older people deserve better. 'I'm calling on Government to stop paying lip service and take immediate action to protect older people. We need a safeguarding framework – as recommended by the Law Reform Commission last year. We need robust, independent oversight. "And above all, we need to end the systemic ageism that has enabled the horrors we witnessed on RTE. Government must act now.'
