June 1998:John Aherne opens Leas Cross nursing home in Swords, Co Dublin, a few weeks before registration of the home is granted.
May 2005:RTÉ Television broadcasts a Prime Time Investigates programme which raises major concern about the treatment of residents in Leas Cross.
June 2005:HSE announces it is removing its clients from Leas Cross and relocating the contract.
July 2005:Leas Cross nursing home announces it will close on August 1st, due to the removal of HSE clients.
November 2006:Prof Des O'Neill's review into deaths at Leas Cross is published, with parts of it redacted following legal concerns. Its findings are consistent with "institutional abuse".
April 2007:Arising from Prof O'Neill's report, the Government announces its decision to set up a commission of investigation into the establishment, ownership, operation, management, staffing and supervision of Leas Cross nursing home. Senior counsel Diarmuid O'Donovan is appointed as the sole member of the commission.
September 2007:HSE establishes a non-statutory inquiry into the transfer of patient Peter McKenna from St Michael's House to Leas Cross. That inquiry is ongoing.
July 1st, 2009:A new nursing home inspection regime comes into force.