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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Cork TD calls for HIQA to appear before PAC following ‘appalling' footage on RTÉ Investigates programme
The footage in RTÉ Investigates – Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes which was broadcast on Wednesday, June 4 details a litany of failings in two homes run by Emeis Ireland, formerly Orpea. The French-owned company has 27 privately-run facilities here, providing more than 2,400 beds. After concerns were raised by several whistleblowers, RTÉ sent two undercover researchers to apply for healthcare assistant roles. They obtained footage from The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin. Among the breaches detailed were inadequate staffing levels, which at times left one employee looking after 23 residents, and people being refused help to go to the toilet. HIQA has subsequently confirmed that it stopped admissions to the nursing home in Laois prior to the programme being aired. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny expressed concerns that the RTÉ Investigates programme into nursing home care represents but a drop in the ocean of failures across care of older people. Deputy Kenny who is a member of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee said HIQA have not appeared before the PAC since 2017. 'Given the huge systemic issues within the organisation detailed by RTÉ, I will be proposing inviting HIQA to the PAC with my committee colleagues. The fact that HIQA took over four months to investigate issues identified by RTÉ is beyond belief. We are talking about care of our much loved older people who deserve dignity as they age." 'What we witnessed was utterly appalling,' said Deputy Kenny. 'Credit is due to RTÉ for highlighting this issue. Staff members from other homes have made contact with my office to express their concerns about practices being replicated in their workplace. 'HIQA are failing in their statutory remit to investigate and resolve issues when they arise locally. Given the scale and the nature of what was exposed, it is crucial that we examine in detail the procedures and potential gaps within HIQA to address these urgently. The PAC could work constructively with HIQA representatives on this,' he added. The Cork TD said accountability is 'crucial' to ensure the most vulnerable are protected 'HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens. Accountability is crucial, but so too is ensuring procedures and processes are in place to protect the vulnerable in our society. It's vital that we have the highest standards of care for older people. HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens.'
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Calls for HIQA to appear before PAC for first time since 2017 – Cork TD critical of their failure to resolve issues
The footage in RTÉ Investigates – Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes which was broadcast on Wednesday, June 4 details a litany of failings in two homes run by Emeis Ireland, formerly Orpea. The French-owned company has 27 privately-run facilities here, providing more than 2,400 beds. After concerns were raised by several whistleblowers, RTÉ sent two undercover researchers to apply for healthcare assistant roles. They obtained footage from The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin. Among the breaches detailed were inadequate staffing levels, which at times left one employee looking after 23 residents, and people being refused help to go to the toilet. HIQA has subsequently confirmed that it stopped admissions to the nursing home in Laois prior to the programme being aired. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny expressed concerns that the RTÉ Investigates programme into nursing home care represents but a drop in the ocean of failures across care of older people. Deputy Kenny who is a member of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee said HIQA have not appeared before the PAC since 2017. 'Given the huge systemic issues within the organisation detailed by RTÉ, I will be proposing inviting HIQA to the PAC with my committee colleagues. The fact that HIQA took over four months to investigate issues identified by RTÉ is beyond belief. We are talking about care of our much loved older people who deserve dignity as they age." 'What we witnessed was utterly appalling,' said Deputy Kenny. 'Credit is due to RTÉ for highlighting this issue. Staff members from other homes have made contact with my office to express their concerns about practices being replicated in their workplace. 'HIQA are failing in their statutory remit to investigate and resolve issues when they arise locally. Given the scale and the nature of what was exposed, it is crucial that we examine in detail the procedures and potential gaps within HIQA to address these urgently. The PAC could work constructively with HIQA representatives on this,' he added. The Cork TD said accountability is 'crucial' to ensure the most vulnerable are protected 'HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens. Accountability is crucial, but so too is ensuring procedures and processes are in place to protect the vulnerable in our society. It's vital that we have the highest standards of care for older people. HIQA have a fundamental role to play in ensuring this happens.'
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Irish Rail called on to provide extra trains for Cork GAA fans ahead of Saturday's Munster hurling final
The much anticipated Munster senior hurling final between the two heavyweights will take place in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick at 6pm on Saturday, June 7 for a fixture that is a guaranteed sell-out. A stand ticket for the Munster final will cost €50, which represents an 11pc rise on 2024. Admission to the terraces will cost €40, with a €5 discount for students and U16s being charged €10. Limerick who have won the last six Munster hurling championship titles secured a very comprehensive win against the Rebels in Round 4 of the Munster senior hurling championship on Sunday, May 18. Limerick produced a brilliant display as they cruised to a win on a final scoreline of 3-26 to 1-16. Cork who last won the Mick Mackey Cup in 2018 reached the All-Ireland final last year and they captured the league title earlier this year. Cork have however failed to replicate their early season form in recent matches and the Treaty County men will start Saturday's game as favourites to retain the Mick Mackey Cup. Cork have however defeated Limerick in two of their last three encounters and Saturday's clash is expected to be a thrilling clash. Labour TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny has called on Irish Rail to put on extra trains from Cork for fans travelling to the Munster final. 'Rebels from across the county will be winging their way to Limerick this Saturday for what will be a fantastic game between Cork and Limerick in this year's Munster Hurling Final.' The Cork TD said the Munster final is a very 'special' day in the Irish sporting calendar. 'It will be attended by fans up and down the county which is why I've written to Irish Rail to ask for additional rail services to be provided this weekend. Trains from 9:30am are totally booked out and that's before we even consider people changing the time of their return ticket. 'The demand is there and the obvious thing to do is to put on some extra services to get fans to the stadium safely so that as many people as possible can hopefully see Cork lift the Mick Mackey Cup,' he added.
Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's animal welfare system is unfit for purpose and animals are suffering because of it
You smell it before you see it. Rotting straw. Faeces. Sour milk. The air inside an illegal puppy farm hits your throat like poison. Tiny puppies, barely more than bone, shiver in wire crates. Their mothers lie silent in the dark, bodies worn out, teats raw from relentless breeding. No daylight. No clean water. No kindness. And this is happening in Ireland. Right now. In sheds, garages, and backyards, hidden in plain sight. We don't need to look abroad for horror stories. We are living one. Ireland often describes itself as a nation of animal lovers. But behind that image lies a system on the brink, where cruelty too often goes unchecked and compassion is stretched to breaking point. Shelters are full. Rescuers are burning out. Animals are dying. Across the country, animal rescues are at crisis point. Dogs are being surrendered or euthanised in record numbers. These are not only strays, but pets bred for profit and discarded when no longer wanted. Common reasons include: 'Too much work.' 'Too rough with the baby.' 'No time anymore.' Ponies are mistreated in housing estates. Horses are dragged along national roads by children on e-scooters. These are dangerous acts that threaten both animal welfare and public safety. Inside unlicensed breeding operations, female dogs are bred over and over, sometimes re-impregnated just weeks after giving birth. The damage to their bodies and minds is immense. Picture: ISPCA Meanwhile, puppies bred in filthy sheds are sold through unregulated online platforms and private messaging apps. Some are taken in by irresponsible owners or used for more backyard breeding. In some reported cases, there are links to dog fighting. When breeding females are no longer profitable, they are quietly destroyed or abandoned. The public usually sees only a fraction of this, a Facebook post, a call for help. But behind every image is an exhausted volunteer, an unpayable vet bill, and a shelter with no room left. This is not a temporary crisis. It is a national abandonment. Inside unlicensed breeding operations, female dogs are bred over and over, sometimes re-impregnated just weeks after giving birth. The damage to their bodies and minds is immense. Under Irish law, anyone can keep up to five breeding females without registering as a dog breeding establishment. This loophole enables individuals to sell dozens of puppies every year with little oversight, often untaxed and unregulated. This is not care. It is industrial-scale reproductive abuse. Ireland is often referred to as the puppy farm capital of Europe, and with good reason. Legislative loopholes, low enforcement capacity, and political inertia all contribute to this ongoing cruelty. Political momentum is growing, but action is what matters. In recent months, a number of TDs have raised concerns in the Dáil: Labour Party TD Eoghan Kenny has called for a national plan to tackle horse abuse; Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl highlighted welfare issues in housing estates; Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O'Sullivan questioned enforcement failures in Cork North Central; People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy proposed a taskforce to shut down illegal breeding operations; Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart urged the appointment of a national director of animal welfare; Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe said: 'This approach to horse welfare is ludicrous, grossly unfair to the horses, and presents a woeful image of our towns and cities.' These are important voices, and their support is welcome. But statements alone won't save animals. We need enforcement, legislation, and real resources. Animal cruelty does not happen in isolation. It is a well-established warning sign for other forms of violence: In Ireland, 57% of women in domestic violence refuges report pet abuse by their partners; In the UK, 70% of domestic abuse survivors say their pets were harmed or threatened; In the US, the FBI tracks animal cruelty as a high-level offence. Ninety-six percent of offenders also face charges such as domestic violence or child abuse; In Canada and Australia, animal abuse is considered in child protection and domestic violence risk assessments. One encouraging initiative: the DSPCA now provides temporary foster care for pets belonging to domestic abuse victims. This trauma-informed service saves lives. But it is the exception, not the norm. We urgently need a coordinated national framework. The Department of Agriculture currently holds responsibility for both promoting animal industries and regulating their welfare. This structural conflict makes truly independent oversight difficult. Picture: ISPCA The Department of Agriculture currently holds responsibility for both promoting animal industries and regulating their welfare. This structural conflict makes truly independent oversight difficult. This is not an accusation. It is a call for reform. Enforcement must be independent, properly resourced, and free from commercial influence. Many gardaí want to act. But without a national structure, clear protocols, or proper training, they are often left unsure of what they can do, who to contact, or how to respond safely. We urgently need an animal welfare crime unit within An Garda Síochána. Such a unit would: Investigate and prosecute cruelty and illegal breeding; Track repeat offenders; Share data between shelters, councils, and gardaí; Integrate animal abuse into wider safeguarding systems. Ireland's animal welfare system is not just in crisis. It is collapsing. But the solutions are in plain sight. We need independent enforcement. Stronger laws. Reliable funding for shelters. Gardaí who are trained and empowered. And a commitment to treat cruelty not as a niche concern but as a sign of deeper harm in our society. If we fail to act, we're not just failing animals. We're failing ourselves. Because every day without action is another day an animal suffers in silence. Kerry Pollock is head of animal welfare advocacy at My Lovely Horse animal rescue Read More Gardaí investigate viral horse cruelty video after searching farmland in Co Tipperary
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Repulsive'; ‘obscene'; ‘genocide': Dáil voices rise in unison over Israel's slaughter in Gaza
Slaughter, streaming now on your chosen platform. 'Innocent children, they don't know what's going on, starving with the hunger ... This is reality, this is what's happening in front of our eyes and we can see that on the news every morning, noon and night, and worse and worse it's getting,' said Danny Healy-Rae. Annihilation, as it happens. 'We are witnessing a genocide being live-streamed on our hand-held device,' said Labour's Eoghan Kenny. READ MORE The destruction is undeniable. We see it every day. 'One of the greatest crimes against humanity is playing out before our eyes in real time,' said Sinn Féin's Mairéad Farrell. Speaker after speaker, making the same point during three hours of Dáil statements on the unfolding catastrophe in Gaza. How can this be happening when the obscene reality is there for all to see? How can the Israeli government escalate its eradication crusade in Gaza while the big western powers hang back and look on? In angry, heartfelt contributions, TDs held out little hope that this week's harrowing scenes of children starving to death would deflect Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu from his remorseless campaign against the Palestinian people. If the world's increasingly flaky bulwarks of democracy won't act, this doesn't mean that Ireland cannot make a stand. There was understandable consensus when it came to condemning Israel for its campaign of genocide in Gaza. Nobody quibbled with the use of the word. The differences came in the interpretation of what has been done and what should be done to force Netanyahu to end the war. The Government pointed to the lead it has taken internationally when most of its EU partners have been dragging their heels. The Opposition, while acknowledging the actions taken by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, accused them of doing too little too late. But given the sheer horror of what the suffering innocents are enduring in Gaza, the lengthy Dáil session didn't descend into the usual political tit-for-tat. Apart, that is, from an unnecessary swipe at the Taoiseach early on from Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, who talked about her party's Bill to end the sale of Israeli war bonds through the Central Bank. It's an 'obscenity' completely at odds with Ireland's position on humanitarian standards and international law. 'And yet, when I raised this with the Taoiseach yesterday, his response was to call our legislation repulsive,' said Mary Lou. 'That's the word he used.' Micheál Martin swiftly intervened to reject the assertion. 'What is truly repulsive is allowing the Irish Central Bank to oversee the sale of Israeli war bonds that are funding this genocide,' she replied. Micheál wasn't letting this go. 'The Deputy is misleading the House. That's not right, now.' Mary Lou moved on. If his Government is really sincere and serious about 'ending the clear barbarism we watch every day in Gaza', it will back their Bill. Micheál repeated his objection. 'I said no such thing,' he said, in a quiet, level voice. Given the seriousness of the debate it was not good enough for her to 'falsely make that assertion. I did not say that and you know I did not say that. I would ask you to withdraw it.' The Leas-Cheann Comhairle turned to Mary Lou. Well? 'I cannot withdraw it because the record of this House will reflect the fact that the word that was used across the Chamber to me was the word 'repulsive'. Check back on it, persisted the Taoiseach. 'Because you said the Government was funding a genocide and I said that phrase was morally repugnant. At no stage did I say the tabling of legislation in respect of the Central Bank was repulsive,' he said, addressing Mary Lou slowly, asking her again to withdraw her words. 'You know that. Why did you conflate the two to make a false statement?' She turned to the chair. 'Sorry. Why is the Taoiseach using our speaking time with this nonsense?' Micheál wanted that withdrawal. 'I am not withdrawing it,' insisted the Sinn Féin leader. 'It was a smear, it was a smear against me.' 'I am not withdrawing a remark that you made.' The Leas-Cheann Comhairle moved on. 'We'll leave it at that.' 'No sincerity,' murmured the Taoiseach. So, what happened the previous day? During Questions on Policy or Legislation, Mary Lou spoke about the slaughter in Gaza and her party's forthcoming legislation about Israeli war bonds. 'What people might not know is that the Irish Government has made Ireland complicit in funding this genocide,' because the Central Bank oversees the sale of these bonds which are directly used to fund Israel's war against Hamas. 'Taoiseach, work with us. Ireland cannot be complicit any longer in genocide.' [ Air strikes kill dozens in Gaza as international criticism of Israel grows ] He said what is happening to innocent civilians in Gaza 'is beyond any moral compass' and it was 'very regrettable' that she would say the Irish Government is funding genocide. 'I can't really comprehend why you say things like that. I would argue you do it for politics but it smacks of that only. It lacks sincerity ... But I think it's fundamentally wrong of you actually to take the tack that you're taking. 'I find it morally repulsive as well.' Mary Lou was right in one thing – he did use the word 'repulsive'. But it was fairly clear that Micheál was angered by the suggestion his Government was facilitating genocide as opposed to Sinn Féin tabling a Bill. But for the most part, this lengthy session was memorable for a strong show of unity from across the political spectrum against the reprehensible war crimes being perpetrated on defenceless babies in Gaza. Yes, there were strong speeches from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, but the depth of feeling from TDs of all stripes was compelling. All of them, including Coalition TDs, called for more action from Ireland as they denounced the Israeli government – not the Israeli people. There were many passionate speeches. Netanyahu 'has shown himself to be a monstrous leader and his government a monstrous authority', said the former ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Not only have they slaughtered women and children in Gaza, but they have done much damage to their own country. 'The State of Israel has a right to exist. I respect and love the Jewish people but I deplore, detest and reject Netanyahu and his people.' Deputies condemned the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas for the unspeakable atrocities it committed on Jews in a raid on Israel two years ago which led to the war. But, as Fine Gael TD Barry Walsh said, their 'barbaric and disgusting' action does not justify what is happening in Gaza now. 'It is murder, pure and simple,' said Independent TD Paul Gogarty, shouting the number 'fourteen thousand' at the top of his voice. That awful figure, repeated time and again in the House. The number of babies who may die from malnutrition by the weekend. 'It appears that things have got so horrific that even the EU may be waking up,' he said. It was late in the afternoon, a good two hours into the statements, when Galway-based Independent Catherine Connolly rose to speak. 'I've attended many, many protests, as all my colleagues have done, and there was a time when I was most uncomfortable with the chant that Israel is a terrorist state ... I have no such reluctance now, and I'm ashamed that I wasn't comfortable with that, because Israel is a terrorist state. 'It's out of control. It's a rogue state, and it's got that far because it has done everything with immunity from the big powers that be, including Europe, America and many, many other countries,' she said. But what she heard in the chamber was heartening. 'You know, the speeches that were made today by the backbenchers were wonderful. They were absolutely wonderful. I was near to tears with the passion,' she said. 'I wish they had made those speeches earlier when we were appealing to you to stop Israel with getting away with impunity. 'And we're here today, now, and we're looking at 14,000 children about to die in the next 48 hours.' Unimaginable. 'And words. What words will we now use? We have set the lowest bar for telling ourselves we're very good.' She talked of troops allowed through Shannon. Of increased trading. Of the failure to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. 'And we learn now tomorrow, in the face of 14,000 children about to die, that a memo is going to go to Government. 'Shame comes to mind, embarrassment, but most of all, let's act and show leadership.' During her speech, she held up a printed statement. 'And we're here today, and we've just learned that a delegation from 22 countries in the EU over looking at the refugee camp in West Bank has been shot at, and we're told that the delegation deviated from the route. The only deviant here is Israel. They have deviated from international law.' Then word came that two of those delegates – the State's representative in Palestine Feilim McLaughlin and his deputy Sorcha Lowry – are Irish. And the real time everyone was talking about came just that little bit closer.
