Concerns had been expressed over care of boy (8) found dead

THE Health Service Executive last night confirmed it is to carry out a review of its involvement with the family of an eight-year-old boy who was found dead at the home he shared with his mother in north Cork yesterday.

Anthony Ward was found by gardaí and his uncles when they called to the house at Harrison Place in Charleville at about 9.30am, after the boy’s mother Diane contacted her own mother, Sheila Ward, to say she needed help.

Gardaí found Diane Ward (42) in a distressed state in the house and discovered Anthony lying lifeless in his pyjamas in a bedroom of their modern bungalow. A GP was called and pronounced the boy dead at the scene.

Anthony, who celebrated his eighth birthday last month, had been due to return to school at Newtownshandrum school yesterday morning where he would have been in third class. His school uniform was found beside him on the bed.

Diane Ward was in a highly distressed state and was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she was later psychiatrically assessed before being discharged into a general medical ward where she remained last night.

Gardaí believe Anthony died at about 3am but are awaiting the results of a postmortem today by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster to determine what direction their investigation will take. It is understood Garda technical experts found a note during a search of the house.

Supt Pat McCarthy, who is heading up the investigation, said yesterday gardaí were treating the young boy’s death as suspicious pending the completion of the post-mortem.

Privately gardaí described the death as a tragic incident.

Yesterday Anthony’s father, Mark Ryan, who lived separately from Anthony and his mother, was being comforted by relatives as were the Wards, including Anthony’s grandmother Sheila Ward and uncles Alan and Billy who all live nearby on the quiet boreen.

Another uncle, Mark Ward, last night declined to comment on the tragedy when contacted but The Irish Times understands the family had expressed concerns on a number of occasions to the HSE.

This newspaper has also learned that a garda contacted the HSE about Ms Ward’s ability to look after her son over a year ago and the HSE acknowledged the garda’s concerns.

Last night the HSE South issued a statement in which it said it was providing appropriate support and assistance, including counselling, to all those affected by the death, which has shocked the community in Charleville.

“As with all serious incidents such as this, the HSE has committed to a comprehensive review of the involvement of HSE services with the family,” it said, adding it was not able to comment further as a Garda investigation was ongoing.

Local parish priest Canon Seán Cotter said the tragedy had stunned the local community.

“Everyone was very disturbed and upset when they heard the news – it’s a huge shock and we prayed with the family today that their grief and pain be healed.”