A hospital worker is under investigation after an elderly woman alleged she was raped in hospital over the Christmas period.
The alleged assault took place in an hospital in the Leinster area on St Stephen's day. The elderly woman who has made the allegations is in her 80s.
She did not inform hospital staff, her family or the Garda of the alleged attack until about one week after it occurred, apparently out of fear.
An inquiry was commenced by the hospital immediately the allegations were made. The male hospital worker against whom the allegation has been made has not worked at the hospital since the matter came to light.
The suspect, a foreign national, has worked on the medical staff at the hospital in question.
In reply to queries from The Irish Times, the Garda confirmed the allegations were under criminal investigation. The response added the alleged attack occurred on St Stephen’s Day at a hospital in the Leinster area.
“As part of the investigation a man in his late 40s was arrested,” it added of the suspect’s detention for questioning on Thursday.
“He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at (a) Garda station and has since been released without charge.
"A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Owing to the nature of the investigation no further information is available at this time."
When contacted a spokesman for the hospital involved said: “We cannot make any comment at this time as this alleged incident is currently the subject of a Garda investigation. The hospital is co-operating fully with the gardaí on the matter.”
The Irish Times understands the suspect was removed from duties where he would contact with patients immediately the allegations emerged.
A number of sources said the man was due to have a break from work just after the allegation became known and they did not believe he had been back to work since then.
While no decision had been taken on suspending the man, now that he has been arrested it is likely he will be suspended in accordance with HSE protocol pending the outcome of the criminal inquiry.
