Court order closes Callan nursing home

THE HSE has taken over the running of Avondale nursing home in Callan.

Following a court order secured by HIQA, the HSE took control last night at 7pm, July 22.

At present there are twelve residents on site. A statement from the HSE said “A number of HSE professional staff will work with the staff of Avondale Nursing Home to ensure the resident needs continue to be met until they are transferred to another residential care home.”

Last month, the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) found that SIPTU members including Mary Dunne and her daughter, Erica, from Callan were constructively dismissed after nursing home director, Miriam Holmes, failed to appear to offer any defence to their claims on three occasions.

Seven other SIPTU members who worked at the home have also taken cases for unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal against their former employer. Four have already successfully taken a case at the Rights Commissioners for unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal but have appealed the size of their award to the EAT.