The North Eastern Health Board knew over 12 months ago that a teenage boy in its care who died last Monday had been abusing solvents.
Yesterday the family of 16-year-old Shane Hafford buried him and called for an independent inquiry into his death by the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin.
Last Monday night he died in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after collapsing in an apartment complex across the road from the health board home he had been placed in.
A gas cylinder was found close by and it is believed he died after inhaling its fumes. He was found in a collapsed state by ambulance personnel around 9.20 p.m. and died in hospital within the hour.
Shane's family was worried about his solvent abuse problem and wrote to the health board last year.
His mother, Sharon, was too distraught to speak, but the family solicitor, Mr Patrick Goodwin, confirmed that last year he had written to the board.
"Shane has been sniffing petrol for the last few months and he is effectively out of control. We understand he has been involved in some petty crime and has come to Garda notice as a result of same," the letter to the childcare manager stated on April 11th last year.
The health board responded to the letter from Shane's solicitor saying it would copy it to the appropriate person and then respond.
Yesterday his many friends joined his family to hear Father Phelim McKeown say: "It is said the way a person lives is more important than the way a person dies; we must not dwell on the manner of Shane's death, it is better to give thanks to God for his life.
"We have all suffered a great loss, especially Shane's family; today we try to understand what has happened," he added.
His mother told the mourners: "Shane was always so cheerful and happy. I want him to know I will always love him."
Later his family said: "We want to see something done about the way childcare services are organised in Louth to ensure this doesn't happen to anyone else."
Mr Goodwin said the family wanted an independent inquiry into the lack of response to his letter and its aftermath.