Criminal prosecution threat hangs over Laois nursing home in Portlaoise

The operators of The Residence Nursing home in Portlaoise face prosecution if more residents are admitted with first fixing the issues exposed at the Laois home.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) threat to take Emeis Ireland to court is revealed in the latest report to the Government on the controversy that has engulfed homes run by the French-owned company in Laois and other counties.

The 177-page report outlines the operational status of all homes in the Emeis Ireland group following a review and inspections by the regulator. It was carried out on the instruction of the Minister for Older People, Kieran O'Donnell after an RTÉ Investigates programme which revealed extensive shortcomings at The Residence Portlaoise and the Firstcare Beneavin Manor home in Glasnevin.   

The report outlines the latest on HIQA's actions and the response of Emeis Ireland to tackle the problems revealed. It also reports on other homes such as the Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home in Portlaoise which is also owned by Emeis Ireland.

The report reveals that admissions have been halted to all Emeis Ireland homes. This follows on from a ban on admissions to the Portlaoise home that came into force in April 22 which was breached. The company was told to attend a warning meeting on 19 May 2025, where Emeis representatives were issued with a formal letter warning of "prosecution" if the provider admitted any new residents and the condition was breached again.

HIQA says the law allows it to go to court to take civil action or pursue criminal prosecution against a nursing home provider.

Following the RTÉ Investigates programme, HIQA inspectors carried out further unannounced inspections on 5, 8 and 12 June 2025. HIQA says the timing of visits was targeted at times of reduced staffing to ensure that there were sufficient numbers of staff to care for residents and to supervise the delivery of care. The registered provider was issued with an official warning of cancellation of registration during an inspection visit.

HIQA also says that, "as expected", inspectors found that the provider had taken a range of measures to address the immediate risk to residents. Over the three days of inspection, HIQA said inspectors found that the issues contributing to the lack of supplies and linen had been addressed. However, HIQA said more must be done.

"While actions had been taken to improve staffing, further improvements to staffing and staff supervision were required with immediate effect," it said.

HIQA pledges that more details will be published with the help of RTÉ footage gathered by undercover care staff. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The Residence Portlaiose is located near the town's train station.

"Reports of these inspections will be prepared and published. They will be informed by the findings of the inspections and a full review of all information received, including meetings and feedback from residents and relatives and staff. All footage from the RTÉ Investigates Programme has been sought from RTÉ and at the time of writing we are still awaiting access to such footage," it said.

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HIQA says in its new report that Emeis Ireland say they are complying with the Chief Inspector’s condition preventing admissions to The Residence Portlaoise and will continue to comply.

It is stated that management and staffing levels have increased in Glasnevin and Dublin and senior management from Emeis have been engaged on site in both locations to provide ongoing "oversight and direction" to both centres.

HIQA has also stated that senior staff from other nursing homes have been deployed to improve the effectiveness of staff supervision in both centres.

It is also reported that independent consultants have been retained by Emeis to undertake a "root cause analysis" of what occurred in both centres, to inform further ongoing actions to be taken.

Staff disciplinary action has been initiated, with referrals having been made to the Gardaí.

HIQA says inspectors will continue with a programme of inspection to verify that the provider has implemented actions and to verify the effectiveness of those actions.

HIQA reports that The Residence Portlaoise has been inspected six times since the designated centre was registered on 14 December 2023, with the most recent unannounced inspection occurring in June 2025. 

The nursing home was described as a purpose-built facility when it opened.