Grace report: Chair of investigation commission refused to contact families before publication
Farrelly report found there was a 'fundamental failure' by the South Eastern Health Board and the HSE in their duty of care to Grace, a severely intellectually disabled young woman who was in foster care.
The chair of commission of investigation into the 'Grace' abuse foster case refused to contact the families and witnesses involved before her final report was published and instead suggested a press release be sent out.
The report found there was a "fundamental failure" by the South Eastern Health Board and the HSE in their duty of care to Grace, a severely intellectually disabled young woman who was in foster care.
Family X, as they have been referred to, also fostered 46 others, but a decision has now been made by the Government not to press ahead with further probes and instead the commission is to be wound up.
Children's minister Norma Foley had contacted commission chair Marjorie Farrelly in recent weeks requesting that out of respect she let those involved in the eight-year investigation know the long-delayed report was due to be released.
She also expressed frustration that the commissioner did not provide an executive summary which would have made the 2,000-page document more "accessible", especially given the nature of the report.
Ms Farrelly wrote back to the minister saying it would be very difficult to contact all those involved ahead of publication and suggested the department issue a press release.
"I did ask that everybody who was involved in providing evidence or some engagement with the commission was informed my intention to publish. I made that request to the commission, but the commission were not in a position to accept my request," Ms Foley said.
She said it was a "considerable undertaking" for people and families to come forward, but added the commission was "completely independent" in its work.
Publishing the report, Ms Foley described Grace's case as "harrowing, distressing", adding her circumstances had a "devastating impact on her quality of life".
However, she said since the case came to light, significant changes have been made to help safeguard against circumstances like this ever occurring again.
"This job of work will never be done until each and every one of us is vigilant; until we can ensure right across all aspects of society there are the appropriate mechanisms in place to ensure that children, adults, vulnerable are protected when they need to be protected," said Ms Foley.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was “deeply shocked” at the final report of the Farrelly Commission, saying it appeared to have “no answers” within it.
“I feel that Grace and the others are being let down all over again.”
Ms McDonald said there was “clearly evidence of abuse”.
The Sinn Féin leader added it was not credible to suggest there was no sexual or physical abuse of Grace, as set out by the report.
The commission investigating the case of Grace, which has so cost €13.6m, with the final legal bill still to be totted up, concluded it was "not satisfied" the evidence was such to fully establish sexual, emotional of physical abuse of Grace during her time in the foster home in the south east.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín welcomed the publication of the report, but called for an independent investigation into the failures of the State care system over decades.
"The way Grace was treated by this country is a cause of national shame. The saddest part of all of this is that she was non-verbal, unable to speak up for herself and seek help and justice."
