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23 Oct 2025

Four Áras Attracta workers sentenced

Four Áras Attracta staff members have been sentenced to Community Service in lieu of prison terms

Four Áras Attracta workers were sentenced to Community Service orders in lieu of prison terms at last Friday’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Judge Mary Devins imposed the orders on four staff members at the care facility in Swinford, after secret filming at the facility by RTÉ’s Investigations Unit led to prosecutions for assault against six workers.
Joan Gill (62) of Dublin Rd, Swinford, who pleaded guilty to three counts of assault in Bungalow Three of Áras Attracta in November, 2014 was given 240 hours’ community service in lieu of a seven-month prison sentence.  Gill was also ordered to pay €1,500 in compensation to two victims.
Christina Delaney (35) of Seefin, Lissatava, Hollymount; Joan Walsh (42) of Carrowilkeen, Curry, Co Sligo; and Kathleen King (56) of Knockshanvally, Straide, Foxford were each given 120 hours’ community service in lieu of a three-month prison sentence and were each ordered to pay €600 to their victims.
The cases are due before Judge Devins again on April 8, when management at Áras Attracta will give details on what the compensation monies will be spent on for the residents who were the injured parties in the assaults.  A fifth worker was sentenced to a prison term of four months by Judge Devins last month. That is currently pending appeal. The case against a sixth worker is to be reheard before another judge.

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