Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----because it is vitally important.

On 6th July 2008, psychiatrist (1) subsequently wrote to the local health manager in the area referencing the'relocation of residents from Abbeyside...to the 'Stillwater complex'and urging the relocation to take place sooner rather than later. The letter also stated "three residents in particular are at a significant risk of both physical and sexual assault from the other residents". The letter also stated "one patient requires constant supervision due to a combination of frontal lobe damage and mental illness as he is opportunistically assaulting others sexually".

The general manager (2) in his capacity as acting local health manager for the County Community Services responded on 15th August 2008, "We have commenced the process of recruitment of staff nurses which will enable us to complete the opening of Stillwater complex... by October... The move to the new houses should take place in October and this could reduce the number of these assaults and incidents on this most vulnerable group..."

It is clear from this response that senior management viewed the move to the Stillwater complex as the solution to Brandon's inappropriate behaviour. However, a short time later in or around December 2008 Brandon was also moved to the Stillwater complex to share house 1 with five other vulnerable residents. It is not clear why the decision to move Brandon to the Stillwater complex was made, however, the consequences of this decision turned out to be devastating for all the other residents living in house 1...

The letter from six staff members, 26th February 2008.

The concern and frustration of staff working with Brandon is evident in a letter dated the 26th February 2008 addressed to the multi-disciplinary team meeting (which took place on 4th March 2008). This letter was signed by six nursing staff members. This letter is a significant milestone in the overall account of Brandon's assaults on others and demonstrates the deep level of concern that these six staff members had about vulnerable individuals in their care. The letter described Brandon's behaviours in 'Breaffy' ward and how these behaviours continued in the 'Abbeyside' ward. The letter stated that"although initially well behaved (when he moved to the Abbeyside) Brandon soon resumed sexually assaulting his fellow residents".

The letter goes on to say that "the more staff intervened to prevent this behaviour, the more violent, aggressive and argumentative towards staff he became". The letter also warns that "despite the higher level of supervision... Brandon's assaultive nature was increased where he will... blatantly touch others in the company of staff and within seconds of staff providing a duty of care elsewhere..."

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