SIX PEOPLE APPEARED in court in Co Mayo today charged with assault arising from a Garda investigation following a Prime Time undercover documentary at the Áras Attracta care home in Swinford.

Five women and one man, who are staff members of the facility, appeared before Ballina District Court this morning.

Joan Gill (62) of Dublin Road, Swinford, faces a total of five charges of assault – alleged to have all taken place in Bungalow Three of Áras Attracta on three dates between November 6 and November 17 last.

The remaining five defendants each face a single assault charge.

Christina Delaney (35) of Lissatava, Hollymount, in Mayo; Joan Walsh (42) of Curry, Co Sligo and Kathleen King (56) of Straide, Foxford are all charged with assault, alleged to have occurred on November 15, 2014.

Pat McLoughlin (56) of Mayfield, Claremorris, and Anna Ywunong Botsimbo (34) of Low Park Avenue, Charlestown, are both charged with assault alleged to have occurred on November 14 last.

Evidence

Mr Vincent Deane, state solicitor, told the brief hearing that the disclosure of evidence includes a large amount of film footage, and said it had yet to be presented to the defendants.

Mr Paul Cunney, solicitor for Ms Gill, confirmed that they had yet to receive statements and Judge Mary Devins ordered that the disclosure of statements be forwarded to Mr Cunney.

She adjourned the case for mention at the 10 July sitting of Ballina District Court, to fix a date for hearing.

She said that Ms Gill must also be in court on that date.

Judge Devins also adjourned the cases involving the remaining defendants to 10 July in order for the statements to be disclosed to them, and to fix a date for hearing.

None of the accused spoke during the hearing, and only stood when their names were called.

All of the assaults are alleged to have occurred in the Bungalow Three unit of the care home.