Care home director in court over death of patient

McGoldrick Enterprises Ltd had also been charged with the corporate manslaughter of patient Mary Dowds in their Maine Private Nursing home, Randalstown, on April 8, 2013.

However, it was allowed to “remain on the books” and was not proceeded with.

Company director Ian McGoldrick, who, along with his wife Mary, also runs a second care home, Ladyhill Lodge in Antrim, pleaded guilty to having “failed to conduct your undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons not in your employment who may be affected thereby were not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety”.

Following the guilty plea on behalf of the company, defence QC Patrick Lyttle told Antrim Crown Court that this was not “a late change of plea at the door of the court” but had previously been on offer from the company, in business for over 25 years.

“This is not a matter of holding out to the very last minute,” added Mr Lyttle.

No details surrounding the death of Ms Dowds were given to the court.

Judge Desmond Marrinan adjourned the case until next month for submissions by both the prosecution and defence.