OFFICIAL REACTION:THE HSE will provide supports and services to the families and communities affected by the violent deaths yesterday in counties Cork and Limerick.
In a statement last night, the HSE extended “its sincere condolences to the families and those affected”.
“Helping and supporting the families and communities affected by this tragedy is of the utmost importance to the HSE and staff are providing supports and services locally”.
Norah Gibbons of the children’s charity Barnardos, which provides a bereavement service for children, said the best advice for parents was to be there for their own children and explain to them in broad terms what has happened without going into detail about the events.
“Obviously this type of tragedy affects the families involved but it also affects the wider community, particularly when there are deaths of children like this,” she said.
“They should seek to reassure their children and deal with their questions . . . This isn’t always easy as parents are often suffering from shock too,” said Ms Gibbons.
Most children would be cared for by their own families but if they had ongoing problems, professional help should be sought from counsellors, she said.
The National Education Psychological Service provides resource materials and support to schools following traumatic events.
In any given year, about 100 requests are made for psychologists to attend schools to provide direct advice to staff and assistance to pupils.
Msgr Joseph Donnelly, a parish priest in Omagh, said the importance of State agencies working closely together to address a community’s grief and trauma could not be overstated.
In 2007, a family of seven were burned to death in a house fire started deliberately by Arthur McElhill, who also died in the fire.
“Every community is quite distinct and has its own strengths and weaknesses. But from the start all the state services in Omagh – the police, fire, schools and social services – worked together,” said Msgr Donnelly.
“There were naturally very strong feelings about what should have been done in the aftermath and very difficult issues emerged.
“The inquest was very harrowing for the families but it was completed relatively quickly,” he said.
“This all helped the community to pull through this.”
Last night, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) said the events in Cork and Limerick raised questions about the provision of child protection and family support.
“Although the exact circumstances of the deaths are as yet unclear, it is worrying that such tragedies have taken place,” it said in a statement.
“Combined with the very personal tragedy these deaths represent for their extended family, friends and neighbours, these deaths also raise serious concerns regarding child protection and family support, and raise many questions for all voluntary and statutory agencies working with vulnerable families,” the organisation said.
Console National Helpline: 1800-201890
ISPCC Childline listening service: 1800-666666