Care worker Ciara Corvan sentenced for Snapchat abuse of dementia patients

Ciara Corvan, a 28‑year‑old healthcare assistant at the Bluestone Unit of Craigavon Area Hospital, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court to two years’ probation and 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to seven counts of ill‑treatment of dementia patients under the Mental Health Order (NI) 1986.

During 2022‑2023 she sent degrading Snapchat images of four patients – including a photo of a woman in a bath, a video of a patient at a "rave" and a close‑up picture with a vulgar caption – to co‑workers, who reported the abuse. All four patients have since died. Police described the case as the first prosecution of its kind in Northern Ireland. Judge Patrick McGurgan stressed the breach of trust and the need for respect and dignity in care.