The Belfast Trust launched its investigation after a resident of the foster home sexually assaulted another resident of the South Belfast facility where they both live.
The move comes after Chief Commissioner Eddie Lynch raised concerns about the safety of residents about the man who was arrested in Belfast District Court on Thursday.
Mr Lynch said he would speak with the Belfast Trust after a court hearing where it was revealed that 75-year-old Alexander Reynolds had 200 inmates. Reynolds sexually assaulted socially vulnerable residents of the facility in February of this year.
When asked about the incident, a Trust spokesperson said: “The Belfast Trust is conducting a full investigation into the incident and will contact the Senior Commissioner for Northern Ireland.”
The nursing home where they learned of the incident has contacted Belfast Live for comment but has yet to respond.
On Thursday, Belfast District Court ruled that Reynolds was sentenced to three months in prison after he admitted targeting a woman earlier this year.
Reynolds carried out the attack on facilities south of the city on February 22.
Belfast District Court was informed that a staff member had heard that the pensioner had asked the victim to perform a sexual act against him.
Despite her disapproval, Reynolds later noticed how the woman held her hand with her hand tucked into her pants.
Reynolds pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a victim who allegedly had a mental disability.
Defense attorney Sean O’Hare said his client has a “significant” history, including other sexual offenses, detailing periods of homelessness and isolation before securing housing at the facility. The attorney general, Liam Maxim, called Reynolds’ criminal record “absolutely appalling”.
Reynolds is expected to be released within a few days anyway, as he was already paying a prison sentence. The High Commissioner for Older Persons said, Thursday evening, that the victim’s defense was a “failure”.
Eddie Lynch added: “It is absolutely shocking that 200 people previously convicted were not only able to live with vulnerable elderly people in a nursing home, but also had the opportunity to attack another resident. This should not have happened, especially given the story of this conviction The man, which may have been well documented and known to the authorities.
“An adult home must provide a safe and secure environment for its occupants, in which case, the occupant is severely confined.”
Lynch said he will “investigate” the Health Trust, which is responsible for “determining how to prevent this from happening and what additional measures have been taken to provide additional protection to this population.”
He added: “The trust and the nursing home provider are responsible for protecting all residents of the nursing homes they drop in. They have questions to answer about the victim’s vulnerability in this case.”
Source: Belfastlive
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
