The parents of Kim O'Donovan, who was found dead last August almost a month after escaping from health board care, yesterday said their child had received "ineffective care within a system which failed her and them drastically".
In a statement read to the High Court, they said: "The parents had continuous and deep reservations about the handling of the case and sought legal advice. On foot of expert consultation, their child was entrusted to the care of the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
"In July, advised of Kim's pending release back into the community, they expressed strong reservations to the board. The board had no care plan in place and no psychiatric evaluation on Kim was available.
"In their opinion, Kim, whose emotional and behavioural problems remained unexplored and untreated in any meaningful way, remained at high risk regarding her own safety. This opinion was noted at a case conference in July. Within three weeks of absconding, Kim, who was 15 years old, was found dead.
"Nothing the parents can do will return Kim to them. They are anxious that no other family should have to endure the pain they have suffered, not only at the premature death of their beloved child, but also her ineffective care within a system which failed her and them drastically."