Crèche owner due before court

Crèche owner due before court for litany of offences


THE owner of a crèche in Manulla, who has been charged with a litany of offences under the Childcare Pre-School Services Regulations, is due to appear before the Castlebar District Court on July 20 next.
The case which was taken by the HSE, claims that Ms Marie McGrath, of Sunny Days Creche, Manulla, was in breach of a number of the regulations, including failing to ensure there were competent adults working at the crèche, failing to ensure appropriate vetting of staff and failing to keep adequate facilities at the pre-school.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr James Warde, said the offences were under Section 57 of the Childcare Act and that the charges, of which there were 21, were only ‘served as a last resort’.
“The respondent has been given every opportunity to resolve the matter,” Mr Warde said.
Mr John Geary, counsel for Ms McGrath requested an adjournment until September but because the crèche was due to remain open for the summer, Judge Devins argued that an earlier date was advisable. It was put on the court schedule for mention on July 17, with a hearing date on July 26.