Out of Áras Attracta, Ivy is now in a caring home
ONE of the women who was abused while living in the Áras Attracta centre is now living a happy life in new accommodation, her family have revealed.
But only six residents of the scandal-hit centre in Mayo for people with disabilities have been re-homed so far.
Health watchdog Hiqa has already said that it will close Áras Attracta unless significant improvements are made.
Abuse of the residents – who have severe disabilities – only came to light following media attention.
Latest figures show that 77 people are still living on the campus.
Just six, including Ivy McGinty, have been moved to community housing during 2016 and this year.
Ivy lived in Áras Attracta from 1992 until this summer. She has severe autism and doesn’t speak, but communicates by making signs.
In footage shot in 2014 by RTÉ, acting on a tipoff from a whistleblower, Ivy is seen being pulled, pushed and even kicked by one staff member.
Care manager Pat McLoughlin sits on her while she is in an armchair.
Ivy’s sister, Breege Dolan, said: ‘Ivy moved out three or four months ago. She is in a lovely house now. Just herself and two staff. There has been a huge change in her. I’m sorry now that it wasn’t done years ago.
‘She was in there for 25 years. I’m convinced now more than ever that Ivy was abused in there for years – not just that year that we found out about.’
A HSE spokeswoman said it hoped to move a further 13 residents into the community.