A sixty nine year old man who subjected his daughter to years of sexual abuse had been volunteering at Clare’s main COVID-19 vaccination centre, The Clare Echo has learned.
Limerick businessman and former guesthouse owner, Oliver Haskett appeared before Limerick District Court in 2013 where he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault of his daughter Sheila Ryan between January 1988 and December 31st, 1990, and a further 20 counts of sexual assault between September 1991 and December 1995.
The offences occurred at the former family homes in Foynes, Kilcornan and Adare in Co Limerick.
In her victim impact statement, Ms Sheila Ryan revealed how she had come close to suicide and how she struggled with depression, eating disorders and alcohol abuse as a result of her dysfunctional childhood.
Following the wishes of Ms Ryan not to send her father to jail, Judge Carroll Moran imposed a four year suspended jail term.
Mr Haskett’s name appeared on the Register of Sex Offenders for five years up until 2018.
In recent weeks, Mr Haskett had been volunteering as part of the vaccination team at Treacys West County Hotel in Ennis.
When his identity became known in the past fortnight, volunteers were sent home with Mr Haskett not appearing at the vaccination centre since then.
Volunteers informed The Clare Echo that there was no knowledge whatsoever of Mr Haskett’s history while he was assisting the roll-out of the vaccine, he now lives in South Clare. Concerns regarding the Garda vetting process for volunteers has also been raised.
UL Hospitals Group who are responsible for the running of the vaccination centre told The Clare Echo that its policy means “it cannot comment on queries regarding named individuals, whether patients, personnel or otherwise, for reasons related to data protection and patient confidentiality”.
The spokesperson added, “UL Hospitals Group can confirm that where required under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016, personnel engaged by UL Hospitals Group are subject to Garda vetting. All relevant personnel working in the three vaccination centres operated by UL Hospitals Group, including Ennis, are Garda vetted and have the appropriate clearances”.
