The owner of a Co Meath nursing home, which the Health Service Executive (HSE) unsuccessfully sought to deregister this month, also operated a care home in the UK which was the subject of a series of highly critical reports by health inspectors.
The UK nursing home for young disabled adults has effectively been closed without residents for more than two years following inspections which expressed "serious concern" over the risk to the health and welfare of residents.
Social services removed the residents from the home in May 2003 after authorities instigated "adult-protection procedures" in the interests of the clients.
The disclosure is likely to raise questions over the lack of provision in legislation to check a nursing home owner's previous record of care.
In late 2002, the UK's nursing homes inspectorate, the National Care Standards Commission, found that Brom-lea nursing home in London, owned by Brigid Seepersad, did not have adequate finances to manage the home properly.
Ms Seepersad, who did not respond to media inquiries yesterday, is also the owner of Hillview nursing home near Tara, Co Meath, which the HSE sought to deregister.
It claimed Ms Seepersad was not qualified to take charge of the home and standards had deteriorated since she bought the home in January this year.
However, she successfully appealed the HSE's decision to deregister the home on the grounds that she had recruited an appropriate person to take charge of the home.
The Irish Times has obtained inspection reports on Brom-lea, where Ms Seepersad was the owner or "registered provider".
While the home is still registered British health authority sources say there has not been residents at the facility for two years following critical inspection reports.
Local councils, which are responsible for the placement of patients or residents in care, have access to inspection reports.
A inspection finding from September 2002 reads: "The commission is seriously concerned about the lack of opportunities for service users to develop life skills, the lack of effective management, the lack of staff training and supervision, and the poor communication between stakeholders...
"In view of the number of requirements from this year's inspection, the number not acted upon from last year's inspection and the risks to the welfare of the residents, the timescales given to comply with these standards are short and must be actioned without delay."
An unannounced inspection two months later found the majority of requirements had not been met.
Inspectors found that issues surrounding financial resources for the management of the home were a serious cause for concern.
It noted that the manager had booked a holiday for residents, but had not been able to pay the deposit as his request for finances had not been responded to. Similarly, requests for finance for essential maintenance and provision of training for staff had not been responded to.
It also found there was a lack of activities and stimulation for staff; lack of up-to-date information on residents' daily care needs; lack of a clear accountable system of records for managing residents' finance; and an irregular and unpredictable management time.
In Ms Seepersad's appeal against the HSE's attempts to deregister her Co Meath nursing home, Judge Brophy said he was satisfied a nurse she recruited was an appropriate person under the nursing home regulations to be in charge of the home.
He said registration of the home would be conditional on the nurse remaining in charge.