TV exposé crèche in legal row with insurers
A crèche chain which was at the centre of a damning undercover exposé has issued legal proceedings against its insurers.
The case is understood to relate to a dispute over the insurance provided to Hyde and Seek Childcare Limited and whether it will cover anticipated lawsuits in the wake of an RTÉ documentary.
The programme, broadcast in July, exposed the mistreatment of children, overcrowding and safety breaches at the Dublin chain.
Several families are expected to issue lawsuits following the revelations.
One law firm, Coleman Legal Partners, says it is representing 50 families who are contemplating proceedings.
Hyde and Seek initiated proceedings against two companies on Thursday, brokerage firm Padraic Smith & Co and insurance firm Ironshore Europe DAC.
The matter was briefly before Mr Justice David Barniville in the High Court and is due to return to the court next week.
In a statement, the crèche chain said: “The Hyde and Seek crèches are appropriately and fully insured. We cannot comment on the matter which is before the courts.”
The Hyde and Seek chain is run by husband and wife Peter and Anne Davy and has facilities in Glasnevin, Tolka Road and Shaw Street.
Ahead of the broadcast, Hyde and Seek announced Ms Davy would be stepping back from “all front-line work” at the company’s crèche on Tolka Road. It also said external consultants would be called in to look at the service.
The programme showed how milk for children was diluted with water, while cheap noodles were served instead of a vegetable dish advertised on a menu given to parents.
It revealed children were held down to make them go to sleep, shouted at and left to cry. Cramped sleeping conditions were also exposed.
Footage showed how one child was left in his high chair for up to 40 minutes after feeding time. There were also breaches of safety, including blocked fire exits.