Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6041Sexual assault

Healthcare worker challenges HSE over disclosure of sexual assault complaint

A woman who has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years has brought High Court proceedings challenging the Health Service Executive's decision to disclose to the Garda vetting bureau a complaint of sexual assault made against her without her knowledge. She says she has never had a complaint of causing harm to a care home resident and does not know who made the allegation or what she is alleged to have done. The case was first reported on 6 December 2024, when Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted her permission to bring it. The judge adjourned the matter to January, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The woman has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years.
  • She says she has never had a complaint of causing harm to any care home resident.
  • She worked with vulnerable adults as a support worker and social care worker until June 2022.
  • She left the health group in April 2024 to attend interviews with three other healthcare agencies.
  • The HSE decided to disclose to the Garda vetting bureau a complaint of sexual assault made against her, without her knowledge.
  • She seeks orders quashing the HSE's decision to give gardaí the complaint report and the vetting bureau's acceptance of it.
Other details
  • She says she does not know who made the allegation against her or what she is alleged to have done.
  • In an affidavit she says she has no information with which to defend herself or her good name.
Investigation
The report on its face confirms that no investigation had occurred.
When
The High Court proceedings were first reported on 6 December 2024.
In court
  • Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted the woman permission to bring her case.
  • The judge adjourned the matter to January.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe woman worked in healthcare for more than 30 years (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe never had a complaint of causing any harm against any care home resident (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe worked with vulnerable adults as a support worker and social care worker until June 2022 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe left the health group in April 2024 to go for interviews with three other healthcare agencies (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe report on its face confirms that no investigation had occurred (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted permission for the woman to bring her case (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to January (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Dec2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Healthcare worker takes case against HSE over disclosure of sexual assault complaint

    First report of the High Court proceedings; Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted permission for the woman to bring her case and adjourned the matter to January.

    victim, female