a day ago
Two women arrested over alleged sexual assault of child at childcare facility
Two women have been arrested following an alleged sexual assault on a child at a childcare facility in Co Fermanagh.
It has been reported that the two women were arrested last month in connection with a PSNI investigation into an incident which is alleged to have taken place at a facility in the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen.
The two women, who are aged 26 and 45, have since been released on bail pending further enquiries, according to Belfast Live.
The PSNI have confirmed that they are investigating a recent alleged sexual assault in the Enniskillen area and that two women have been arrested in connection with the incident.
'Police investigating a recent alleged sexual assault in the Enniskillen area have arrested two women," a PSNI spokesperson said.
'The women, aged 26 and 45, who were arrested last month, have been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries.
'As this investigation is ongoing, there is no further detail at this time.'
SDLP health spokesperson Colin McGrath has expressed his concern over the incident and said the failure of the childcare facility to inform parents of the arrests was "a shocking breach of trust".
'My thoughts are first and foremost with the child and family affected by this deeply distressing incident. I also want to acknowledge the other staff affected by this, whose dedication and support for the children in their care is of the highest quality," Mr McGrath said.
'The fact that parents were not informed until some time after the arrests occurred is a matter of real concern. This is a shocking breach of trust and a complete failure of the provider's duty to safeguard children in their care. Families have a right to transparency, especially when the safety of their children is at stake.
'This facility operates under the remit of the Western Trust. I will be tabling an urgent question to the Health Minister to clarify what oversight the Trust exercised, how this incident was allowed to happen, and what immediate safeguarding actions are being implemented.
"Protecting children must be the top and above everything else. The failure to communicate with parents is unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable. We need full transparency and a guarantee that all children in Trust-affiliated care are safe."
