A TWO-YEAR-OLD child suffered terror on almost a daily basis for five months while in the care of a crèche exposed by RTE on its A Breach of Trust documentary in 2013, a judge heard today.
Barrister Michael Connellan told Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, in the Circuit Civil Court that when being taken to the Giraffe Childcare crèche by her parents, Emilie Kiely used to plead with them: “No crèche, no crèche.”
Connellan, who appeared with Carley and Connellan Solicitors for Emilie and her parents, John and Caroline Kiely, said Giraffe Childcare, which was responsible for the running of Belarmine Childcare in Stepaside, Enniskerry Road, Co Dublin, had offered Emilie a damages settlement of €23,000
Counsel told Judge Groarke that Emilie, now aged six, suffered personal injury in the form of stress and emotional upset and terror over a five month period between September 2012 and January 2013 in the toddlers’ room.
The court heard that Emilie had been under the care of a certain individual who was abusive towards the children in her care. Emilie showed signs of behavioural changes of anxiety and distress and when collected each evening was often withdrawn, red-faced, tired and would fall into a disturbed sleep.
Kiely, in an affidavit to the court, said he and his wife discussed the problem with Emilie’s carer who reassured both of them she was receiving an appropriate level of care under her supervision. A month later Emilie’s demeanour improved when she was changed to a new room.
Then in May 2013 he and his wife learned of RTE’s programme A Breach of Trust and viewed it in June. While their daughter did not feature in any video footage, it showed the minder they had previously confided in behaving angrily and screaming at children.
Afterwards they made alternative arrangements for Emilie’s care and took out a claim for compensation on Emilie’s behalf. Two years ago Judge James O’Donoghue rejected a settlement offer of €15,000 from Giraffe Childcare.
The court heard that Emilie first attended the crèche at the age of eight months and was alright for the first 13 months. It was in September 2012 when she was transferred to the toddlers’ room that her personality changed after having been introduced to a harsh childcare regime for five months.
Judge Groarke, who was assured there was no serious risk to Emilie’s future psychological development, approved the €23,000 offer.
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