Case against ?crèche? owner adjourned

Case against ‘crèche’ owner adjourned


The case against a Manulla-based crèche owner has been adjourned to this Friday to see when it can proceed.
A total of 21 charges under the Childcare Pre-School Services Regulations have been issued against Marie McGrath of Sunny Days Crèche, Manulla.
The case, which is being taken by the HSE, claims that Ms McGrath was in breach of a number of 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 preschool.
Judge Mary Devins adjourned to matter to last Wednesday to try to fix a date for hearing for this Friday.
However, defending solicitor John Geary said two of the six defence witnesses had a difficulty with this Friday, July 26. When Judge Devins dismissed a hearing in the vacation court in August saying the case was not suitable for the vacation court, Mr Geary then requested a September hearing date, and told the court his client will be contesting all 21 charges.
James Ward, solicitor for the HSE, said they would not be happy with an adjournment to September. He said that while he fully understood Mr Geary’s difficulties, children were at the heart of the matter and the HSE wanted it dealt with swiftly. He said the prosecution was ‘not out of the blue’ and that the defendant had been made fully aware of all developments.
John Geary said that the parents of children going to the crèche had been ‘fully supportive’ since media coverage of the first appearance in court. However, James Ward said he could not  agree with that, as ‘at least one’ set of parents had made contact expressing ‘huge concerns’. He added that a closure order would be sought by the HSE if the prosecution succeeds.