Lynch open to inquiry on alleged abuse case in southeast

Minister for Primary Care Kathleen Lynch has not ruled out holding a commission of inquiry into a case in the southeast in which a woman who, as a child, was placed in a care home in 1989 where she was allegedly subject to severe abuse.

The woman in question was 11-years-old at the time and remained in care there until 2009. She was allegedly subject to severe abuse despite the fact that a warning about the home had come from a former resident in 1995.

Ms Lynch said on Friday she was very angry about the case and that matters raised by it meant an inquiry may be required.

She said a definitive judgment should not be made in advance of seeing the report by Conor Dignam SC, who was appointed on December 7th to undertake a review of the Devine and Resilience Ireland reports already completed on the matter.

She said examination of this report was required as a scoping excise before any commission could be considered.

Setting up a commission of inquiry would require a government decision and vote by the Oireachtas.

“The critical question of why this young vulnerable person was left in the foster home until 2009 even though the most serious concerns had been raised about her remains the central issue.

“It is important to note that the Devine and Resilience Ireland reports, once published, may answer some of the questions that currently remain unanswered.

“The ongoing Garda investigation since 2010 has prevented publication of these two reports. It has not, however, prevented the HSE from implementing the recommendations in the Conal Devine report including a National Foster Care Audit, which is welcome.”

At risk

The Minister said when she first heard about the case in April 2014, her immediate concern was to ensure that no person was currently at risk.

She received that assurance and was informed that no new admissions have been made to this private foster home since 1995, with the last resident being removed in 2009.

In relation to the controversy about the issuing of an apology to this vulnerable person, Ms Lynch said that the confusion and complete lack of clarity was regrettable and that it is important now to establish the facts of what occurred.

Separately, HSE director general Tony O'Brien has promised to give a comprehensive answer to the Public Accounts Committee over accusations it lied to members in relation to the case.

Senior HSE officials have been accused of lying to the committee over disputed claims it apologised to a vulnerable adult who was left in a foster home for more than 13 years after it became the subject of abuse allegations.

Mr O’Brien said he has asked the HSE’s social care division to look very carefully at the accusations so it could “get to the bottom of it” and give a comprehensive answer to the committee.

“Until I get that information, it wouldn’t be wise or prudent to say more,” he said.