Four childcare workers have been suspended following allegations about abuse of toddlers at a créche in Dublin. The Irish Times reports Garda and Tusla investigations are underway, with two staff members having their Garda vetting clearance suspended. Two other staff have been suspended for allegedly failing to report concerns promptly.
The allegations include slapping children's heads, hitting their legs, force-feeding children until they vomit, repeatedly calling a child "fatty", and wiping kids' noses so hard they fell backwards and hurt their heads.
Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman says the claims are very concerning: "I've no doubt any parent reading that article is deeply, deeply concerned," Deputy O'Gorman said, "We have an extremely strong regulatory system around childcare in this country. Chhildcare providers are regulated by Tusla, by the Department of Education and by Pobal and, I've no doubt that Tusla and the Gardaí will work closely in terms of completing this investigation."
