Care home patient found on excrement-strewn floor after being locked in room

A care worker has lost his unfair dismissal claim following an incident at a Donegal care home in April 2020. The Workplace Relations Commission heard that a patient at Ballywaltrim House in Raphoe was discovered on an excrement-strewn floor after being locked in his room overnight. The worker, who was found to have followed instructions to remain outside the locked door, was later dismissed. Although the adjudicating officer found no malice or deliberate neglect on the care worker's part, she determined his unquestioning adherence to the direction constituted gross misconduct based on incompetence and failure to exercise professional judgment. The officer noted the investigation by the employer had been delayed and limited, but concluded the worker's actions had been fully and fairly examined. The dismissal was upheld.