More than 50 workers at a midlands nursing home are staging a sit-in to demand wages due to them - just four days after the owners said they were closing the home down.
Tullybeg Retirement Village, at Rahan, Co Offaly, closed this week with the board of directors citing financial troubles. One of the directors, Ted Cunningham, was arrested in Cork during a money-laundering investigation in January. Another prominent figure in the home, Cathy Armstrong, was also arrested in that investigation.
Staff yesterday refused to leave the premises until they get money due to them since they were last paid on June 17th. All 36 patients were transferred to alternative nursing homes over the past few days.
Care assistant Raffaella Russo said they would "stay here as long as it takes to get our money".
She added: "It's terrible how we were treated. We don't know where we stand. I'm a single mother with a nine-year-old son."
Bridie Delaney said the closure was not necessary. "We were getting inquiries about available beds as we were moving patients," she said.
The angry staff yesterday met Liam Grennan, one of the directors. They said Mr Grennan had told them he was expecting a cheque for more than €20,000 from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and he would pay staff once it came through. Mr Grennan declined to comment when contacted yesterday.
Families of the 36 elderly patients have complained that the closure came as a complete surprise. They were also angry that 50-mile round trips would be necessary in some cases to visit their loved ones.
Tullamore Town Council chairman Tommy McKeigue (FG) yesterday criticised the directors of the company. "This is no way to treat staff, some of whom have been here for more than 11 years. The HSE should set up an emergency fund to help the staff," he said.
The HSE has said the nursing home was a private company and it could not take any part in its affairs.