An internal investigation at the Brothers of Charity centre in Bawnmore has cleared a staff member of allegations of sexual abuse.
The Brothers of Charity issued a statement to the Limerick Chronicle after members of the public contacted the paper regarding alleged sexual abuse at the Limerick centre, which caters for the mentally handicapped.
A statement said: "A complaint made by a resident of Bawnmore against a staff member was fully investigated and found to be without foundation".
Asked why gardai were not informed, a spokesman for the Brothers said it was normal practice to carry out their own internal inquiry.
"The fact that there was no substance to the allegation meant there was no need to contact the gardai," he added.
When the complaint was made to a member of staff, the standard investigation procedure operated throughout the Brothers of Charity services was immediately put into operation. An investigation was carried out over 10 days by a team which included the medical director, who was a consultant psychiatrist, the head of social work and the director of psychology, the spokesman said.
He added that at the end of an exhaustive inquiry the staff member was exonerated.
To maintain the excellent relationship between staff and residents which has prevailed at Bawnmore for 21 years, the member of staff was assigned to duties which would not involve any contact with the resident who made the complaint, he added.