theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Child (4) died of viral infection following nap at Cork creche

A four-year-old boy died when a viral infection in his lungs attacked his heart after he was discovered unresponsive following a two-and-a-half hour sleep at his creche in Ballincollig , Co Cork , an inquest has heard .
Cillian O ’ Driscoll of Parkgate in Frankfield , Cork was an energetic child with a great love of jigsaws .
He was found in a critical state at the Kinder Care creche at 2pm on December 14th , 2018 .
In a subsequent review of the creche , Tusla expressed concern that a Safe Sleep Policy was not properly adhered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at by workers at various intervals as opposed to being checked every 10 minutes , as per the recommendations for young children .
No formal written record of checks was made .
Cillian was sleeping on his side in a small “ tree house ” in the creche play room as other children , supervised by staff , played and did yoga .
The youngster , who had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) and was primarily non verbal , had a Department of Education-funded special needs assistant ( SNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the creche .
The SNA left shortly after noon daily , with Cillian then being in the care of general staff until he was collected after 3pm .
Cork Coroner ’ s Court heard Cillian was dropped off at the creche on December 14th by his father , John Paul O ’ Driscoll .
Cillian had picked up the phrase “ All the best ” and said it as he waved goodbye to his father and younger brother .
Mr O ’ Driscoll received a call at 2.30pm to say Cillian was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support when he arrived at Cork University Hospital .
Mr O ’ Driscoll said their “ little boy was no longer there – his body was listless , as were his eyes ” .
The boy ’ s mother Deirdre O ’ Driscoll said Cillian was never happier than playing outdoors or with his beloved jigsaws .
He had tonsillitis a month before his death but there was no cause for concern about his health .
The inquest also heard from Cillian ’ s SNA Christine Murray .
She said he became sleepy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe place ” , the “ tree house ” .
Ms Murray said Cillian fell asleep at around 11.30am .
She stayed with him for a few minutes .
She did not disturb him as he looked comfortable napping in his warm Christmas jumper .
She looked at him through the bars of the “ tree house ” prior to finishing her shift shortly after noon .
She recalled seeing his “ rosy red cheeks ” and had no concerns about the “ bubbly child ” .
Other workers were made aware he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connor said she saw Cillian moving at around 1.15pm .
The alarm was raised at 2pm when he was found unresponsive .
CPR was carried out .
Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said Cillian died of cardio respiratory arrest due to myocarditis and a florid bilateral bronchial pneumonia , and it was likely he was displaying no symptoms at the time of his death .
A verdict of natural causes was recorded .
The jury recommended staff in all creches be made aware of all policies and procedures in place and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Cillian ’ s parents said they hoped lessons would be learned .
Specifically , they felt Cillian should have been properly checked during his long nap .
The creche had passed a full Tusla inspection in May 2018 .
The court heard the owner of the creche Frances Cunningham and her two assistant managers were at a Christmas lunch when the tragedy occurred .
A fourth person in the chain of command had been designated the person in charge .
Ms Cunningham said this was an “ unusual ” occurrence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in their absence .
The creche has been visited by Tusla since and has been found to be fully compliant .

A family photograph of Cillian O’Driscoll (4) who died of viral infection in the lungs which attacked his heart and caused his sudden death.
A four-year-old boy died when a viral infection in his lungs attacked his heart after he was discovered unresponsive following a two-and-a-half hour sleep at his creche in Ballincollig, Co Cork, an inquest has heard.
Cillian O’Driscoll of Parkgate in Frankfield, Cork was an energetic child with a great love of jigsaws. He was found in a critical state at the Kinder Care creche at 2pm on December 14th, 2018.
In a subsequent review of the creche, Tusla expressed concern that a Safe Sleep Policy was not properly adhered to at the facility.
John Paul and Deirdre O’Driscoll, parents of the late Cillian O’Driscoll of Frankfield, Cork pictured at Cork coroner’s court. Photograph: Cork Court
Cillian was glanced at by workers at various intervals as opposed to being checked every 10 minutes, as per the recommendations for young children. No formal written record of checks was made.
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Cillian was sleeping on his side in a small “tree house” in the creche play room as other children, supervised by staff, played and did yoga.
The youngster, who had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and was primarily non verbal, had a Department of Education-funded special needs assistant (SNA) for a portion of his day at the creche. The SNA left shortly after noon daily, with Cillian then being in the care of general staff until he was collected after 3pm.
Cork Coroner’s Court heard Cillian was dropped off at the creche on December 14th by his father, John Paul O’Driscoll. Cillian had picked up the phrase “All the best” and said it as he waved goodbye to his father and younger brother.
Mr O’Driscoll received a call at 2.30pm to say Cillian was unconscious.
He was placed on life support when he arrived at Cork University Hospital.
Mr O’Driscoll said their “little boy was no longer there – his body was listless, as were his eyes”.
The boy’s mother Deirdre O’Driscoll said Cillian was never happier than playing outdoors or with his beloved jigsaws. He had tonsillitis a month before his death but there was no cause for concern about his health.
The inquest also heard from Cillian’s SNA Christine Murray. She said he became sleepy that morning while playing in his “safe place”, the “tree house”.
Ms Murray said Cillian fell asleep at around 11.30am. She stayed with him for a few minutes. She did not disturb him as he looked comfortable napping in his warm Christmas jumper.
She looked at him through the bars of the “tree house” prior to finishing her shift shortly after noon. She recalled seeing his “rosy red cheeks” and had no concerns about the “bubbly child”. Other workers were made aware he was asleep.
Employee Ciara O’Connor said she saw Cillian moving at around 1.15pm. The alarm was raised at 2pm when he was found unresponsive. CPR was carried out.
Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said Cillian died of cardio respiratory arrest due to myocarditis and a florid bilateral bronchial pneumonia, and it was likely he was displaying no symptoms at the time of his death.
A verdict of natural causes was recorded. The jury recommended staff in all creches be made aware of all policies and procedures in place and are regularly updated on any changes.
In a statement Cillian’s parents said they hoped lessons would be learned. Specifically, they felt Cillian should have been properly checked during his long nap.
The creche had passed a full Tusla inspection in May 2018.
The court heard the owner of the creche Frances Cunningham and her two assistant managers were at a Christmas lunch when the tragedy occurred.
A fourth person in the chain of command had been designated the person in charge. Ms Cunningham said this was an “unusual” occurrence.
The full complement of staff was in place in their absence.
The creche has been visited by Tusla since and has been found to be fully compliant.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Poverty is the biggest election issue for people with disabilities, group says

Poverty is the biggest issue for people with disabilities , a coalition of advocacy groups has said .
Publishing its election manifesto on Thursday , the Oireachtas Disability Group ( ODG ) said poverty among people with disabilities had more than doubled in the last decade to 24 per cent and the poverty crisis was “ deepening ” .
“ A broad consensus is forming that we can not continue with business as usual for the 643,000 people with disabilities who have seen no improvement since the dark days of the recession , ” the group said .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disability Federation of Ireland , Inclusion Ireland , the Independent Living Movement of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers .
It is calling on the next government to end disability poverty and unemployment .
While 71 per cent of the general working-age population are at work this figures is just 31 per cent of people with a disability , the group said .
It said 27 per cent of the homeless population has a disability , which is “ double the rate of [ disabiity among ] the general population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities , published by the government in 2015 , be fully implemented and that the 2004 EPSEN Act ( Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs ) be fully commenced .
The group is inviting spokespeople from all the political parties to a hustings at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday 31st “ to outline their vision to lead us out of crisis ” .
Coalition members will hold regional hustings outside Dublin on the same day .
Among other demands are for a properly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community support packages and an acceleration of the decongregation process of moving people out of institutional ‘ home ’ settings .
Legislation guaranteeing a right to the personal assistant to all people who need one and a transport support scheme are also needed , they say .

While 71 per cent of the general working-age population are at work this figures is just 31 per cent of people with a disability. Photograph: iStock
Poverty is the biggest issue for people with disabilities, a coalition of advocacy groups has said.
Publishing its election manifesto on Thursday, the Oireachtas Disability Group (ODG) said poverty among people with disabilities had more than doubled in the last decade to 24 per cent and the poverty crisis was "deepening".
“A broad consensus is forming that we cannot continue with business as usual for the 643,000 people with disabilities who have seen no improvement since the dark days of the recession,” the group said.
The group comprises Oireachtas members as well as the Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, the Independent Living Movement of Ireland and the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers.
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It is calling on the next government to end disability poverty and unemployment. While 71 per cent of the general working-age population are at work this figures is just 31 per cent of people with a disability, the group said. It said 27 per cent of the homeless population has a disability, which is “double the rate of [disabiity among] the general population”.
The group is demanding that the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, published by the government in 2015, be fully implemented and that the 2004 EPSEN Act (Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs) be fully commenced.
The group is inviting spokespeople from all the political parties to a hustings at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday 31st “to outline their vision to lead us out of crisis”.
Coalition members will hold regional hustings outside Dublin on the same day.
Among other demands are for a properly funded housing adaptation grants scheme; more community support packages and an acceleration of the decongregation process of moving people out of institutional ‘home’ settings.
Legislation guaranteeing a right to the personal assistant to all people who need one and a transport support scheme are also needed, they say.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Judge finds nothing to ‘preclude’ surrender of man wanted over Essex lorry deaths

A High Court judge has found there is nothing to “ preclude ” him from surrendering a Northern Irish man wanted in the UK to face multiple counts of manslaughter following the discovery of 39 dead Vietnamese nationals in a lorry trailer in Essex .
The UK authorities want Eamon Harrison ( 23 ) , from Mayobridge , Co Down , to be extradited to face 39 counts of manslaughter , conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the UK ’ s Modern Slavery Act .
Mr Justice Donald Binchy on Friday said he received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrison ’ s legal team and that of the Department of Justice .
He said , in light of these submissions , he found there was nothing to “ preclude ” the surrender of Mr Harrison and that he had a lengthy written judgement explaining his decision .
However , he said the judgment would not be ready for release until Monday .
He said he would not summarise his 50-page judgement for fear of omitting something .
Tony McGillicuddy BL , for Mr Harrison , requested that Mr Justice Binchy defer making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence team has time to consider the judgement .
The court heard that once an order is officially made , a defence team has 15 days to make an appeal .
In turn , Mr Justice Binchy said he was deferring making the order until February 4th and adjourned the matter until that date .

Essex police and forensic officers examine a lorry after the bodies of 39 Vietnamese nationals were discovered in its trailer in Essex. File photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images
A High Court judge has said he will order the extradition of a Northern Irish man wanted in the UK to face multiple counts of manslaughter, following the discovery of 39 dead Vietnamese nationals in a lorry trailer in Essex.
The UK authorities want Eamon Harrison (23) from Mayobridge, Co Down, to face 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act.
Mr Justice Donald Binchy on Friday said he received “very comprehensive” submissions from Mr Harrison’s legal team and that of the Department of Justice.
He said, after considering the submissions from both parties, he found there was nothing to preclude him from ordering the surrender of Mr Harrison and that the circumstances “meet” the requirements of the law.
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The judge said he has made a lengthy and “detailed” written judgement explaining his decision.
He said: “The decision itself is ready but it’s not available for court this morning.”
Mr Justice Binchy then indicated the 50-page judgement would not be ready until Monday, January 27th.
He said he would not summarise his judgement for fear of omitting something.
Following this, Tony McGillicuddy BL, for Mr Harrison, requested the judge not to make the order for Mr Harrison’s extradition on Friday.
Mr McGillicuddy said the court had indicated its decision but Mr Harrison’s legal team needed time to consider the decision and to decide whether to appeal it or not.
He said holding off on making the order on Friday would be of no disadvantage to the State or the court and said Mr Harrison is in custody. The barrister also said other considerations, such as Brexit, “don’t arise, certainly at the present time”.
Ronan Kennedy SC, for the Minister for Justice, said that the minister is anxious that, as the court has given its decision, that the matter be “finalised as soon as possible”.
Mr Justice Binchy subsequently deferred making the order until Tuesday, February 4th and adjourned the matter until that date at 10am. The judge also made a production order for Mr Harrison to appear on that date.
It is alleged that Mr Harrison transported the refrigerated trailer in which the bodies of eight women and 31 men were found in an industrial park in Grays, Essex on October 23rd last.
He is alleged to have delivered the trailer to a Belgian port before its onward journey to Britain, where it was collected from the Port of Purfleet, Essex by Maurice Robinson (25), from Craigavon, Co Armagh, who was arrested by Essex police at the scene.
Mr Harrison, a dual Irish-British citizen, was arrested in Ireland on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.
At a court hearing last month, the court heard that recordings found on mobile phones belonging to the 39 migrants found dead in the trailer suggest some of them were still alive after entering UK territorial water at 19.42pm on October 22nd, 2018.
Multiple voices could be heard on the recordings.
Mr Kennedy told the court at that hearing that the case as alleged against Mr Harrison couldn’t be “any clearer”.
He alleged that Mr Harrison was “integrally involved” in a conspiracy to traffic illegal Vietnamese immigrants into the UK since as early as 2018.
At last month’s hearing, Siobhán Stack SC, for Mr Harrison, said it was not alleged that Mr Harrison placed the deceased into the trailer. She also said it was not alleged that Mr Harrison knew the people were in the trailer nor that there were 39 of them.
It was simply alleged that Mr Harrison transported the trailer but there was nothing to say where the people were collected, who collected them or who put them in the trailer, she added.
There were too many “critical missing facts” and the High Court was being asked to fill in too many blanks, she submitted.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Fatal stabbing of young pony in Co Longford ‘a new low’

Gardaí have appealed for information after a young pony was fatally stabbed at an animal sanctuary in Co Longford .
Investigators are awaiting postmortem and forensic results following the incident at the Hungry Horse Outside charity in Newtownforbes .
Hilary Robinson , a spokeswoman for the equine rescue charity , said it appeared that somebody had come into one of the group ’ s yards during the night and stabbed the foal .
“ They actually found a part of the knife stuck in the pony ’ s jugular , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The foal ’ s not a year old.
” Ms Robinson described the incident as “ a new low ” .
“ All the gates are locked .
Everything is locked , barred and bolted , ” she said .
“ They had to climb in , go in and literally , physically wrestle the foal to the ground and stab it.
” In a post on its Facebook page , the charity said “ we witnessed something we never imagined we would ” .
“ Whilst we are aware there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen not to post them to this page as we feel they are too distressing .
However , this attack is the lowest of the low , it is really incomprehensible to us.
” Anyone with information about the incident to contact Longford Garda station on ( 043 ) 3350570 .

Gardaí have appealed for information after a young pony was fatally stabbed at an animal sanctuary in Co Longford. File image: iStock.
Gardaí have appealed for information after a young pony was fatally stabbed at an animal sanctuary in Co Longford.
Investigators are awaiting postmortem and forensic results following the incident at the Hungry Horse Outside charity in Newtownforbes.
Hilary Robinson, a spokeswoman for the equine rescue charity, said it appeared that somebody had come into one of the group’s yards during the night and stabbed the foal.
“They actually found a part of the knife stuck in the pony’s jugular,” she said. “It’s a terrible thing to do to an innocent foal. The foal’s not a year old.”
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Ms Robinson described the incident as “a new low”.
“All the gates are locked. Everything is locked, barred and bolted,” she said. “They had to climb in, go in and literally, physically wrestle the foal to the ground and stab it.”
In a post on its Facebook page, the charity said “we witnessed something we never imagined we would”.
“Whilst we are aware there are already photographs circulating, we have purposely chosen not to post them to this page as we feel they are too distressing. However, this attack is the lowest of the low, it is really incomprehensible to us.”
Anyone with information about the incident to contact Longford Garda station on (043) 3350570.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Feud making life ‘unbearable’ for some in Drogheda, mayor says

A march against criminal activity in Co Louth is taking place in Drogheda on Saturday .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will attend the march as has Labour leader Brendan Howlin , Fianna Fáil ’ s justice spokesman Jim O ’ Callaghan and a number of local representatives .
Those taking part in the ‘ Standing Together ’ demonstration will assemble at the Bridge of Peace at 1.30pm .
They will then march to St Peter ’ s Church on West Street at 2pm , where a number of speakers are due to address a rally .
The march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder and dismemberment of Keane Mulready-Woods ( 17 ) , who was targeted in an escalating gang feud in Drogheda that has now claimed three lives .
Paul Bell , the Mayor of Drogheda , said there is a “ considerable amount ” of fear and anxiety in the town due to the increasing violence and that some people are suffering from “ terror fatigue ” .
The Labour councillor told RTÉ Radio ’ s Morning Ireland that the violence was bringing “ misery ” to the community and had created a situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town people are finding it unbearable to live ” .
Mr Bell said the people of Drogheda are coming together and understand that “ it is not just a Garda issue ” .
“ It is not just an issue for the legislators of our country .
But it is a community issue , ” he added .
“ Drogheda in its history has had many challenges over its 900 year period and this challenge will be met by the people.
” Mr Bell said there is an understanding among people in Drogheda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to come together to confront this issue and to support the authorities as they try to address what is a very serious and ongoing feud ” .
Mr Varadkar said on Thursday that he planned to attend the march but stressed that he did not want to politicise the event .
Mr O ’ Callaghan said gangland violence has reached “ new levels ” with the “ shocking ” murder and dismemberment of Mulready-Woods .
“ It ’ s has brought gangland criminality back into the spotlight and is now something which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay South TD said .

Gardaí are pictured searching an area around a house in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth last week following the death of Keane Mulready-Woods as part of a local gang feud. A march against criminal activity in Co Louth is taking place in Drogheda on Saturday. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins.
A march against criminal activity in Co Louth is taking place in Drogheda on Saturday.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will attend the march as has Labour leader Brendan Howlin, Fianna Fáil's justice spokesman Jim O'Callaghan and a number of local representatives.
Those taking part in the ‘Standing Together’ demonstration will assemble at the Bridge of Peace at 1.30pm. They will then march to St Peter’s Church on West Street at 2pm, where a number of speakers are due to address a rally.
The march comes less than two weeks after the murder and dismemberment of Keane Mulready-Woods (17), who was targeted in an escalating gang feud in Drogheda that has now claimed three lives.
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Keane Mulready-Woods (17), who was targeted in an escalating gang feud in Drogheda that has now claimed three lives, was murdered two weeks ago. Photograph: Garda/PA Wire.
Paul Bell, the Mayor of Drogheda, said there is a "considerable amount" of fear and anxiety in the town due to the increasing violence and that some people are suffering from "terror fatigue".
‘Unbearable’
The Labour councillor told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland that the violence was bringing "misery" to the community and had created a situation where in "some areas of our town people are finding it unbearable to live".
Mr Bell said the people of Drogheda are coming together and understand that “it is not just a Garda issue”.
“It is not just an issue for the legislators of our country. But it is a community issue,” he added. “Drogheda in its history has had many challenges over its 900 year period and this challenge will be met by the people.”
Mr Bell said there is an understanding among people in Drogheda and the surrounding area “that they have to come together to confront this issue and to support the authorities as they try to address what is a very serious and ongoing feud”.
Mr Varadkar said on Thursday that he planned to attend the march but stressed that he did not want to politicise the event.
Mr O’Callaghan said gangland violence has reached “new levels” with the “shocking”murder and dismemberment of Mulready-Woods.
“It’s has brought gangland criminality back into the spotlight and is now something which must be addressed,” the Dublin Bay South TD said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Apartment owner who paid €16,000 for defects will not ‘fix it quietly and go away’

Ciara Holland stands outside the commercial court with a sign reading “ Tudor Homes develop fire defective homes ” , hoping to catch a glimpse of the developers as they enter .
It is November 2019 and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council is facing legal action over its decision to grant planning permission to Tudor Homes for a 367-home development in Cherrywood – but that is not why she is here .
Ms Holland lives in an apartment in Galloping Green on the Stillorgan Road which was developed by Tudor Homes in 1999 , but was later found to be replete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were asked to pay €16,250 each to remediate the issues after Tudor Homes refused to pay for the works citing the statute of limitations , which legally precludes them from liability .
Ms Holland paid the levy and the works to remediate her apartment were completed during the summer of 2019 , with the remainder of remedial repairs around the complex currently nearing completion .
However , Ms Holland says she will not “ just fix it quietly and go away ” .
“ You ’ re thinking about it all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant weight on your shoulders .
.
.
just going to the protest was a relief to know that I was actually doing something , ” Ms Holland says .
“ If I have to go to every single development Tudor Homes builds , if I have to spend every weekend protesting while there ’ s prospective buyers walking in , I will.
” When Ms Holland bought her two-bedroom apartment in 2006 she never could have seen herself spending her weekends like this .
She was single and without children when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like many who bought at the height of the Celtic Tiger , she became trapped in it .
“ I never thought I ’ d have two children and a husband in a two bedroom apartment , but that was just the way it was , I was in negative equity , ” she says .
Fourteen years after she first moved in she is no longer in negative equity , but is now faced with a multitude of fire safety defects spread across the development .
A fire safety audit carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development was not built in accordance with the council-granted fire safety certificate .
The audit found a number of gaps between the walls and the ceilings in the hallways of the apartment block , as well as around the pipes carrying waste from individual apartments and around the lift doors .
Expanding foam , which is not considered fire resistant , was used in multiple locations to fill gaps and there were no cavity barriers around the windows of individual apartments .
All of these gaps tunnelling their way around the development meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should , potentially giving residents very little time to escape .
Ms Holland becomes upset when I ask about the impact the defects have had on her day-to-day life .
“ I brought my girls into this .
I put them into bed at night and think , if there was a fire , am I guaranteed to get to them ?
“ Unbeknown to me they ’ ve lived all their lives in an unsafe home .
They slept in their beds in an apartment that had fire deficiencies .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them safe and minimise any risks to them .
.
.
but this was a risk I couldn ’ t mitigate because I didn ’ t even know about it.
” “ It ’ s so unjust , ” she says .
“ You ’ re brought up to know the difference between right and wrong and you expect people to have integrity and morals and do the right thing .
.
.
but this isn ’ t just the developers who are doing wrong – this is the Government , too , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s why I ’ m speaking out , because they don ’ t want us to , they want us to just fix it quietly and go away and I just wont put up with it.
” In December 2019 planning permission for the Cherrywood development was quashed by the High Court .
However , the developer has since lodged a revised planning permission request , which has yet to be decided on .
The Irish Times contacted Tudor Homes , but did not receive a response .
Dún @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had responsibility for investigating building regulations complaints , there was a time limit of five years after the completion of the building works in which an enforcement notice could be served .
“ Any issues which come to light in respect of Fire Safety concerns should be pursued through the Management Company in conjunction with the Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003 , ” the council said .

November 2019: Ciara Holland, owner of a defective apartment built by Tudor Homes, protests with supporters outside the Four Courts. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Ciara Holland stands outside the commercial court with a sign reading “Tudor Homes develop fire defective homes”, hoping to catch a glimpse of the developers as they enter.
It is November 2019 and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council is facing legal action over its decision to grant planning permission to Tudor Homes for a 367-home development in Cherrywood – but that is not why she is here.
Ms Holland lives in an apartment in Galloping Green on the Stillorgan Road which was developed by Tudor Homes in 1999, but was later found to be replete with serious fire safety defects.
Owners there were asked to pay €16,250 each to remediate the issues after Tudor Homes refused to pay for the works citing the statute of limitations, which legally precludes them from liability.
READ MORE
Ms Holland paid the levy and the works to remediate her apartment were completed during the summer of 2019, with the remainder of remedial repairs around the complex currently nearing completion.
However, Ms Holland says she will not “just fix it quietly and go away”.
“You’re thinking about it all the time, it’s just a constant weight on your shoulders . . . just going to the protest was a relief to know that I was actually doing something, ” Ms Holland says.
“If I have to go to every single development Tudor Homes builds, if I have to spend every weekend protesting while there’s prospective buyers walking in, I will.”
When Ms Holland bought her two-bedroom apartment in 2006 she never could have seen herself spending her weekends like this.
Negative equity
She was single and without children when she bought the apartment for €515,000, but like many who bought at the height of the Celtic Tiger, she became trapped in it.
“I never thought I’d have two children and a husband in a two bedroom apartment, but that was just the way it was, I was in negative equity,” she says.
Fourteen years after she first moved in she is no longer in negative equity, but is now faced with a multitude of fire safety defects spread across the development.
A fire safety audit carried out by Omega in December 2017 found the development was not built in accordance with the council-granted fire safety certificate.
The audit found a number of gaps between the walls and the ceilings in the hallways of the apartment block, as well as around the pipes carrying waste from individual apartments and around the lift doors. Expanding foam, which is not considered fire resistant, was used in multiple locations to fill gaps and there were no cavity barriers around the windows of individual apartments.
All of these gaps tunnelling their way around the development meant fire could travel much more quickly than it should, potentially giving residents very little time to escape.
Ms Holland becomes upset when I ask about the impact the defects have had on her day-to-day life.
“I brought my girls into this. I put them into bed at night and think, if there was a fire, am I guaranteed to get to them?
“Unbeknown to me they’ve lived all their lives in an unsafe home. They slept in their beds in an apartment that had fire deficiencies. My job as their parent is to keep them safe and minimise any risks to them . . . but this was a risk I couldn’t mitigate because I didn’t even know about it.”
Right and wrong
“It’s so unjust,” she says. “You’re brought up to know the difference between right and wrong and you expect people to have integrity and morals and do the right thing . . . but this isn’t just the developers who are doing wrong – this is the Government, too, who are just turning a blind eye.
“That’s why I’m speaking out, because they don’t want us to, they want us to just fix it quietly and go away and I just wont put up with it.”
In December 2019 planning permission for the Cherrywood development was quashed by the High Court. However, the developer has since lodged a revised planning permission request, which has yet to be decided on.
The Irish Times contacted Tudor Homes, but did not receive a response.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said that although it had responsibility for investigating building regulations complaints, there was a time limit of five years after the completion of the building works in which an enforcement notice could be served.
“Any issues which come to light in respect of Fire Safety concerns should be pursued through the Management Company in conjunction with the Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003,” the council said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Snow on the way as Ireland’s weather set to turn colder

Snow is expected in parts of Ireland with the weather forecast turning distinctly chilly over the coming days .
After a mild week with high pressure dominating , a cold front will move across Ireland on Saturday night causing temperatures to plummet .
Sunday will be dry , but rain is likely to fall as snow on Sunday night as temperatures fall to minus 1 degrees overnight .
“ This precipitation on Sunday night will give snow , not huge amounts , but , where it gets heavy , it could leave a covering for a time , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You will get lots of pictures of people showing that it is snowing , but we will not get whiteout conditions.
” She said the snow will mostly fall across Ulster and parts of north Connacht , but the showery nature of it could see it drift into other parts of the country .
Temperatures will struggle to reach 7 degrees on Monday and Tuesday as the cold weather continues .
Tuesday will be another cold and windy day bringing snow on higher ground .
It will be even colder on Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a widespread frost across the country .
Ms Donnelly said the really cold air will linger for three days , but it looks like milder conditions will set in later in the week .

A cold front will move across the country on Saturday night bringing plummeting temperatures. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Snow is expected in parts of Ireland with the weather forecast turning distinctly chilly over the coming days.
After a mild week with high pressure dominating, a cold front will move across Ireland on Saturday night causing temperatures to plummet.
Sunday will be dry, but rain is likely to fall as snow on Sunday night as temperatures fall to minus 1 degrees overnight.
"This precipitation on Sunday night will give snow, not huge amounts, but, where it gets heavy, it could leave a covering for a time," said Met Éireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly.
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“You will get lots of pictures of people showing that it is snowing, but we will not get whiteout conditions.”
She said the snow will mostly fall across Ulster and parts of north Connacht, but the showery nature of it could see it drift into other parts of the country.
Temperatures will struggle to reach 7 degrees on Monday and Tuesday as the cold weather continues.
Tuesday will be another cold and windy day bringing snow on higher ground. It will be even colder on Tuesday night with temperatures of minus 2 in places and a widespread frost across the country.
Ms Donnelly said the really cold air will linger for three days, but it looks like milder conditions will set in later in the week.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--New culture trying to ‘undo truths’ of Christianity, bishop says

A Catholic bishop has warned that a new culture in Ireland “ is trying to undo the truths of the entire Judeo-Christian system from the ground up ” .
Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Phonsie Cullinan said this culture was trying to redefine “ the meaning of personhood , of marriage , of the family , and classifying people on the basis of their sexual preference , raising individual rights over those of the unborn , and denigrating the sacredness of human life to its natural end ” .
“ We must wake up to what is happening and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the culture from within .
If you and I want a culture which is healthy , where family life is helped and supported , where people have hope and can live in freedom to love God and their neighbour as themselves , then we must play our part , ” he said in a pastoral letter .
He noted how “ about 90 per cent of our people are not coming to Church regularly so we must go out ‘ and seek the lost ’ .
If we take a close look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great need for God ’ s grace and our cooperation with that grace.
” He asks the people of Waterford and Lismore “ are you satisfied by what is happening in your parish ?
Are you happy that young people have so few to minister to them ?
Are you happy with the way society is going ?
As a Church where are we going ?
What , as it were , is the sign on the bus ?
What is the vision ?
” He said that what was needed was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting from a relationship with Jesus looks outward rather than inward ” .
Referring to the diocesan pastoral plan which he laid out a way forward until 2024 , he asked “ will you play your part ?
You too have a vocation - married life , the single life , the priesthood or religious life.
” Over coming weeks and months the bishop said he would be visiting parish pastoral councils in the diocese “ to encourage as many as possible to implement our ( diocesan ) plan ” .
He appealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the priesthood and religious life .
Pray for Declan and Stuart who have begun their seminary training this month and for John and Mark who are continuing their studies in Rome ” .
Meanwhile , his colleague , the Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran has said that it “ seems to go completely against the common good for any committed Catholics ” to vote for election candidates who voted in favour of abortion legislation .
In a pre-election message , Bishop Doran said the passage of the Health ( Regulation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outgoing Oireachtas had “ radically undermined the right to life in our society ” .
“ If we are to reverse the 2018 legislation , which may take many years , and if we are to prevent the legalisation of euthanasia , our first step must be to ensure that we elect public representatives who are committed to the right to life , from conception to natural death , ” he said .
“ For that reason , irrespective of traditional party loyalties , it seems to go completely against the common good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public representative who , in the outgoing Oireachtas , voted for abortion .
It is also worth asking what exactly some elected representative intended when they abstained on such an important question as the right to life .
”

A Catholic bishop has warned against a new culture in Ireland ‘which is trying to undo the truths of the entire Judeo-Christian system from the ground up’. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times.
A Catholic bishop has warned that a new culture in Ireland "is trying to undo the truths of the entire Judeo-Christian system from the ground up".
Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Phonsie Cullinan said this culture was trying to redefine "the meaning of personhood, of marriage, of the family, and classifying people on the basis of their sexual preference, raising individual rights over those of the unborn, and denigrating the sacredness of human life to its natural end" .
“We must wake up to what is happening and, with the grace of God, change the culture from within. If you and I want a culture which is healthy, where family life is helped and supported, where people have hope and can live in freedom to love God and their neighbour as themselves, then we must play our part,” he said in a pastoral letter.
He noted how “about 90 per cent of our people are not coming to Church regularly so we must go out ‘and seek the lost’. If we take a close look at the culture around us we see the great need for God’s grace and our cooperation with that grace.”
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Vision
He asks the people of Waterford and Lismore “are you satisfied by what is happening in your parish? Are you happy that young people have so few to minister to them? Are you happy with the way society is going? As a Church where are we going? What, as it were, is the sign on the bus? What is the vision?”
He said that what was needed was “a vision of a Church which, starting from a relationship with Jesus looks outward rather than inward”.
Referring to the diocesan pastoral plan which he laid out a way forward until 2024, he asked “will you play your part? You too have a vocation - married life, the single life, the priesthood or religious life.”
Over coming weeks and months the bishop said he would be visiting parish pastoral councils in the diocese “to encourage as many as possible to implement our (diocesan) plan”.
He appealed for prayers “for vocations to marriage, to the priesthood and religious life. Pray for Declan and Stuart who have begun their seminary training this month and for John and Mark who are continuing their studies in Rome”.
Common good
Meanwhile, his colleague, the Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran has said that it “seems to go completely against the common good for any committed Catholics” to vote for election candidates who voted in favour of abortion legislation.
In a pre-election message, Bishop Doran said the passage of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act by the outgoing Oireachtas had “radically undermined the right to life in our society”.
“If we are to reverse the 2018 legislation, which may take many years, and if we are to prevent the legalisation of euthanasia, our first step must be to ensure that we elect public representatives who are committed to the right to life, from conception to natural death,” he said.
“For that reason, irrespective of traditional party loyalties, it seems to go completely against the common good for any committed Catholic to vote for a public representative who, in the outgoing Oireachtas, voted for abortion. It is also worth asking what exactly some elected representative intended when they abstained on such an important question as the right to life.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Gardaí speak to man who was set on fire in Cork attack

Gardaí investigating a petrol attack on a 23-year-old father of three in Cork city have spoken to the man and hope to take a formal statement from him in the coming days .
Keith Greaney suffered what have been described as “ life changing injuries ” when he was attacked by three men at the home he shared with his girlfriend Nicole O ’ Leary in Dunard , Lotamore , Mayfield last Monday .
Mr Greaney was with Ms O ’ Leary when three men burst into the house just before 4am .
The men dragged Mr Greaney from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipe before attacking him with a machete .
The gang then doused Mr Greaney in petrol and set him on fire before smashing the windscreen of his car as they fled the scene in a black Ford Mondeo and a Citroen Berlingo van , which gardaí later seized on the southside of Cork .
Mr Greaney was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital ( CUH ) where he was put in an induced coma on a ventilator .
He was treated him for serious burns to his head and chest following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the induced coma on Wednesday evening and gardaí spoke to him briefly before he was again put in an induced coma to help with the healing process .
Two men , brothers aged 27 and 24 from the southside of the city , presented themselves at Mayfield Garda station on Tuesday and were questioned about the attack on Mr Greaney .
The two men were not arrested but it is understood that gardaí obtained clothing and footwear from them , which has since been sent to the Forensic Science Ireland laboratory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also forwarded a machete and a car exhaust pipe which they believe were used in the attack on Mr Greaney to the Forensic Science Ireland laboratory to verify if they were used in the attack .
Meanwhile officers are continuing to look for a third suspect and while they are keeping an open mind , they believe it stems from a personal dispute between the victim and another young man .
Elsewhere in Cork , armed members of the Regional Support Unit ( RSU ) visited two halting sites in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups of men amid simmering tensions over a separate and unrelated assault in the city .
A young man was attacked by a group of up to 10 people outside the Reel Picture cinema in Blackpool on Sunday night and received a number of blows to the head from one of the group armed with a hurley .
Gardaí believe the assault is but the latest incident in a long standing feud between two extended families and have begun an investigation even though they have yet to receive a formal complaint from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RSU visited both halting sites and spoke to both sides after the rival families posted videos online within hours of each other when masked men armed with machetes and other implements issued threats to each other .

Gardaí are investigating a petrol attack on a 23-year-old father of three in Cork last Monday. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty
Gardaí investigating a petrol attack on a 23-year-old father of three in Cork city have spoken to the man and hope to take a formal statement from him in the coming days.
Keith Greaney suffered what have been described as "life changing injuries" when he was attacked by three men at the home he shared with his girlfriend Nicole O'Leary in Dunard, Lotamore, Mayfield last Monday.
Mr Greaney was with Ms O’Leary when three men burst into the house just before 4am. The men dragged Mr Greaney from his bed and beat him with an exhaust pipe before attacking him with a machete.
The gang then doused Mr Greaney in petrol and set him on fire before smashing the windscreen of his car as they fled the scene in a black Ford Mondeo and a Citroen Berlingo van, which gardaí later seized on the southside of Cork.
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Mr Greaney was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where he was put in an induced coma on a ventilator. He was treated him for serious burns to his head and chest following the petrol attack.
Mr Greaney came out of the induced coma on Wednesday evening and gardaí spoke to him briefly before he was again put in an induced coma to help with the healing process.
Two men, brothers aged 27 and 24 from the southside of the city, presented themselves at Mayfield Garda station on Tuesday and were questioned about the attack on Mr Greaney.
The two men were not arrested but it is understood that gardaí obtained clothing and footwear from them, which has since been sent to the Forensic Science Ireland laboratory in Dublin for a technical examination.
Gardaí have also forwarded a machete and a car exhaust pipe which they believe were used in the attack on Mr Greaney to the Forensic Science Ireland laboratory to verify if they were used in the attack.
Meanwhile officers are continuing to look for a third suspect and while they are keeping an open mind, they believe it stems from a personal dispute between the victim and another young man.
Tensions
Elsewhere in Cork, armed members of the Regional Support Unit (RSU) visited two halting sites in the city on Thursday night and spoke to two groups of men amid simmering tensions over a separate and unrelated assault in the city.
A young man was attacked by a group of up to 10 people outside the Reel Picture cinema in Blackpool on Sunday night and received a number of blows to the head from one of the group armed with a hurley.
Gardaí believe the assault is but the latest incident in a long standing feud between two extended families and have begun an investigation even though they have yet to receive a formal complaint from the injured man.
On Thursday, the RSU visited both halting sites and spoke to both sides after the rival families posted videos online within hours of each other when masked men armed with machetes and other implements issued threats to each other.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Asylum claims by Georgians and Albanians brought to abrupt halt

The number of Albanian and Georgian nationals claiming asylum in the Republic plummeted close to a standstill late last year , new figures show .
An immigration clampdown at Dublin Airport saw applications from both nationalities slow to a trickle after sustained increases as far back as 2014 .
Officials in the Department of Justice were hopeful the slashing of applications by migrants from the two European countries , which are categorised as safe , would help take the pressure off the direct provision system .
In recent weeks Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan told The Irish Times immigration checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some migrants were destroying fake documents once they disembarked from airlines but before they reached passport control , where some would then apply for international protection .
In early November , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said many Albanians and Georgians were entering Ireland using false travel documents .
They were coming in such numbers , he said , they were driving the overall increase in the number of people of all nationalities applying for international protection .
Mr Varadkar was criticised at the time for targeting his remarks at just two nationalities .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been brought to an abrupt stop .
Last September , some 191 Albanians applied for asylum , the highest ever monthly total after applications from them had been rising for six years .
But when immigration checks were severely tightened at Dublin Airport , the number of Albanians applying for international protection in October more than halved to 90 .
And there were only seven applications in November ; a 96 per cent drop in two months .
Similarly , the number of applications from Georgians reached a record high of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half , to 58 applications , in October and fell to just 17 applications in November .
The latest data has been made available by the International Protection Office , which is part of the Department of Justice .
Applications from Albanians began to increase in 2014 and the number of applications from Georgians became noticeably higher in 2017 .
In 2018 , Albanians topped the list of people seeking protection , with 459 applications , and Georgians were next , with 450 applications .
In the first 11 months of last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international protection from Albanians than any other nationality , with Georgians next on the list ; some 972 and 631 applications respectively .
The number of claims for asylum in the State , from all nationalities , peaked at 11,634 cases in 2002 .
Garda sources told The Irish Times that a redoubling of efforts to address the increasing number of Albanians and Georgians entering the Republic to claim international protection was already well underway before the Taoiseach spoke out .
Immigration checks at passport control in Dublin Airport were moved back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fake documents were refused entry .
Airlines have been told to take such individuals back on return flights before any opportunity to claim international protection arose .
Gardaí said this ensured more airlines were closely checking the travel documents of passengers boarding Dublin-bound flights as they did not want the expense of bringing passengers back on a return flight .

As part of the clampdown, immigration checks at passport control in Dublin Airport were moved back to the steps of arriving aircraft and those with fake documents were refused entry. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
The number of Albanian and Georgian nationals claiming asylum in the Republic plummeted close to a standstill late last year, new figures show.
An immigration clampdown at Dublin Airport saw applications from both nationalities slow to a trickle after sustained increases as far back as 2014.
Officials in the Department of Justice were hopeful the slashing of applications by migrants from the two European countries, which are categorised as safe, would help take the pressure off the direct provision system.
In recent weeks Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan told The Irish Times immigration checks had been increased at the airport because some migrants were destroying fake documents once they disembarked from airlines but before they reached passport control, where some would then apply for international protection.
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False documents
In early November, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said many Albanians and Georgians were entering Ireland using false travel documents.
They were coming in such numbers, he said, they were driving the overall increase in the number of people of all nationalities applying for international protection.
Mr Varadkar was criticised at the time for targeting his remarks at just two nationalities. However, the trend that he highlighted appears to have been brought to an abrupt stop.
Last September, some 191 Albanians applied for asylum, the highest ever monthly total after applications from them had been rising for six years.
But when immigration checks were severely tightened at Dublin Airport, the number of Albanians applying for international protection in October more than halved to 90. And there were only seven applications in November; a 96 per cent drop in two months.
Similarly, the number of applications from Georgians reached a record high of 117 last September. That reduced by half, to 58 applications, in October and fell to just 17 applications in November.
The latest data has been made available by the International Protection Office, which is part of the Department of Justice.
High numbers
Applications from Albanians began to increase in 2014 and the number of applications from Georgians became noticeably higher in 2017.
In 2018, Albanians topped the list of people seeking protection, with 459 applications, and Georgians were next, with 450 applications.
In the first 11 months of last year, there were again more applications for international protection from Albanians than any other nationality, with Georgians next on the list; some 972 and 631 applications respectively.
The number of claims for asylum in the State, from all nationalities, peaked at 11,634 cases in 2002.
Garda sources told The Irish Times that a redoubling of efforts to address the increasing number of Albanians and Georgians entering the Republic to claim international protection was already well underway before the Taoiseach spoke out.
Immigration checks at passport control in Dublin Airport were moved back to the steps of arriving aircraft and those with fake documents were refused entry.
Airlines have been told to take such individuals back on return flights before any opportunity to claim international protection arose. Gardaí said this ensured more airlines were closely checking the travel documents of passengers boarding Dublin-bound flights as they did not want the expense of bringing passengers back on a return flight.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Ireland on alert as suspected case of coronavirus treated in Belfast

Irish officials have stepped up precautions to deal with the threat of a new flu-like virus as four suspected cases were being treated in Scotland and one person with symptoms associated with the illness was being treated in Belfast .
Staff in airports and in the health service have been told to be on heightened awareness of people with respiratory symptoms who have returned from Wuhan in China , where the coronavirus first emerged earlier this month , or who have been in close contact with people with the disease .
Arrangements have been made for a special incident response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected cases of infection to hospital , where patients will be placed in isolation .
GPs have been told to isolate patients who satisfy these criteria in side-rooms , pending transfer to hospital .
On Thursday a man who had recently arrived from China presented at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with symptoms which could be linked to the virus .
He was isolated as a precaution and is believed to be responding well to treatment .
In Scotland , four people are being tested for suspected coronavirus after travelling there from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on lockdown on Thursday in two cities at the epicentre of the outbreak , which has killed 18 people and infected more than 630 , as authorities around the world worked to prevent a global pandemic .
Wuhan has also pledged to build a new hospital in six days to treat patients .
Under existing protocols in Ireland , pilots are required to inform ground staff when passengers are seriously ill .
These arrangements will be used to ensure any passenger showing clinical symptoms and who was in Wuhan , or in close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated by emergency services staff on arrival in Ireland .
Active screening of flights from China is not being introduced .
However , Health Service Executive officials say the risk of an Irish case of the coronavirus remains low , and they say the health system is ready to handle any infections should they occur .
Ireland has no direct flight connections with Wuhan , they pointed out , and flights between London , Paris and Rome and the Chinese city have been cancelled as authorities there battle the outbreak .

A passenger who arrived on the last bullet train from Wuhan to Beijing is checked for a fever by a health worker on Thursday. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Irish officials have stepped up precautions to deal with the threat of a new flu-like virus as four suspected cases were being treated in Scotland and one person with symptoms associated with the illness was being treated in Belfast.
Staff in airports and in the health service have been told to be on heightened awareness of people with respiratory symptoms who have returned from Wuhan in China, where the coronavirus first emerged earlier this month, or who have been in close contact with people with the disease.
Arrangements have been made for a special incident response team from the ambulance services to transport suspected cases of infection to hospital, where patients will be placed in isolation. GPs have been told to isolate patients who satisfy these criteria in side-rooms, pending transfer to hospital.
Isolated
On Thursday a man who had recently arrived from China presented at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with symptoms which could be linked to the virus. He was isolated as a precaution and is believed to be responding well to treatment. In Scotland, four people are being tested for suspected coronavirus after travelling there from Wuhan.
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China put millions of people on lockdown on Thursday in two cities at the epicentre of the outbreak, which has killed 18 people and infected more than 630, as authorities around the world worked to prevent a global pandemic. Wuhan has also pledged to build a new hospital in six days to treat patients.
Under existing protocols in Ireland, pilots are required to inform ground staff when passengers are seriously ill. These arrangements will be used to ensure any passenger showing clinical symptoms and who was in Wuhan, or in close contact with a case, will be treated by emergency services staff on arrival in Ireland. Active screening of flights from China is not being introduced.
However, Health Service Executive officials say the risk of an Irish case of the coronavirus remains low, and they say the health system is ready to handle any infections should they occur.
Ireland has no direct flight connections with Wuhan, they pointed out, and flights between London, Paris and Rome and the Chinese city have been cancelled as authorities there battle the outbreak.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Council ‘held to ransom’ by Government over €182m payment

The Department of Housing owed €182 million to Dublin City Council in March 2019 , mainly for homeless services and housing capital projects , a report from the local Government auditor shows .
The Government owed Dublin City Council €148 million at the end of 2018 , according to the latest report from the Local Government Audit Service .
This was mainly in relation to repayment of housing services , including €34 million for homeless services and €87 million for housing capital projects .
The local government auditor took the unusual step of noting that , by March 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Housing to the city council had not declined , but had risen to €182 million .
In a note on the auditor ’ s report , Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan said “ claims are regularly submitted to the Department of Housing , Planning and Local Government and actively followed up ” .
“ Securing funding for all monies expended is a priority for Dublin City Council , ” he added .
The audit also noted the council was owed €27.7 million arrears of rates , a further €27.8 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing loans at the end of 2018 .
Overall council debtors increased from €235 million in 2017 to €310 million in 2018 and €337 million in 2019 .
Not all debtors are , however , “ bad debtors ” and the council provision for bad debts in 2018 was €121 million .
The auditor noted the council has assets of €10.8 billion , of which €6.1 billion were housing assets .
Now , Dublin City councillor Daithí Doolan , a former chairman of the council ’ s Strategic Housing Policy Committee , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report on monies owed to it by the Department of Housing and Planning .
Cllr Doolan wants the report in time for February ’ s full meeting of the city council .
He told The Irish Times it was clear the council was “ being held to ransom ” in terms of the large amounts of money outstanding from the Department of Housing and Planning .
He said : “ Consecutive ministers including the current Minister have always said ‘ money is not an issue ’ in relation to dealing with housing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was clear that “ when it comes to paying , there is an obstacle .
It seems to be okay to hold Dublin City Council to ransom.
” In relation to house-building , he noted that €87 million was owed by the department to the council in relation to housing capital payments .
While he said he accepted the money would eventually be paid , the council was held to ransom because it could not say it was postponing work because the finance had not arrived .
“ I blame the mandarins in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is a highly bureaucratic procurement process leading up to a contract being offered .
It is like a bad joke .
They do not seem to appreciate that housing is a life and death issue , ” he said .
The Department of Housing and Planning was asked for a response and one is expected .
Attempts to contact the current chair of the council ’ s Strategic Housing Policy Committee , Cllr Alison Gilliland , were unsuccessful .

The Department of Housing owed €182 million to Dublin City Council in March 2019, mainly for homeless services and housing capital projects, a report from the local Government auditor shows.
The Government owed Dublin City Council €148 million at the end of 2018, according to the latest report from the Local Government Audit Service. This was mainly in relation to repayment of housing services, including €34 million for homeless services and €87 million for housing capital projects.
The local government auditor took the unusual step of noting that, by March 2019, the amount owed by the Department of Housing to the city council had not declined, but had risen to €182 million.
In a note on the auditor’s report, Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan said “claims are regularly submitted to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and actively followed up”.
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The auditor noted the council has assets of €10.8 billion, of which €6.1 billion were housing assets
“Securing funding for all monies expended is a priority for Dublin City Council,” he added.
The audit also noted the council was owed €27.7 million arrears of rates, a further €27.8 million in rents and annuities and €9.1 million in housing loans at the end of 2018.
‘Bad debtors’
Overall council debtors increased from €235 million in 2017 to €310 million in 2018 and €337 million in 2019. Not all debtors are, however, “bad debtors” and the council provision for bad debts in 2018 was €121 million.
The auditor noted the council has assets of €10.8 billion, of which €6.1 billion were housing assets.
Now, Dublin City councillor Daithí Doolan, a former chairman of the council’s Strategic Housing Policy Committee, is to ask council management for an up-to-date report on monies owed to it by the Department of Housing and Planning. Cllr Doolan wants the report in time for February’s full meeting of the city council.
He told The Irish Times it was clear the council was “being held to ransom” in terms of the large amounts of money outstanding from the Department of Housing and Planning.
He said: “Consecutive ministers including the current Minister have always said ‘money is not an issue’ in relation to dealing with housing and homelessness.”
‘Obstacle’
But Cllr Doolan said it was clear that “when it comes to paying, there is an obstacle. It seems to be okay to hold Dublin City Council to ransom.”
It is like a bad joke. They do not seem to appreciate that housing is a life and death issue
In relation to house-building, he noted that €87 million was owed by the department to the council in relation to housing capital payments.
While he said he accepted the money would eventually be paid, the council was held to ransom because it could not say it was postponing work because the finance had not arrived. “I blame the mandarins in the Department of Housing and Planning. It is a highly bureaucratic procurement process leading up to a contract being offered. It is like a bad joke. They do not seem to appreciate that housing is a life and death issue,” he said.
The Department of Housing and Planning was asked for a response and one is expected. Attempts to contact the current chair of the council’s Strategic Housing Policy Committee, Cllr Alison Gilliland, were unsuccessful.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--How our health service let vulnerable girl fall through cracks in system

When she was just six years old , Amy* reported witnessing domestic abuse and physical and verbal violence between her parents , including her father punching her mother .
A psychologist ’ s report from 2006 said as a result of her parents fighting the young girl was “ emotionally and psychologically disorganised ” .
Her parents were in the process of legally separating and Amy ’ s case was referred to the Laois-Offaly social work department to provide her with ongoing support .
However , for two years afterwards her case was left unallocated without a social worker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of failings when the health service ( and later Tusla ) would let Amy ’ s case fall through the cracks in the system .
The chronology of failures by the social work department to respond to serious concerns about the care of the young girl was laid bare in a 2015 internal review by childcare expert Lynne Peyton , never released publicly but now seen by The Irish Times .
The review found there was “ virtually no social work involvement between 2006 and 2011 ” in Amy ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to social services for support .
In early 2007 , a school psychologist wrote to the social work department requesting support for the family .
The following April , Amy ’ s psychologist made a formal report to social services after a phone call where her mother said “ she did not want Amy any longer ” .
There was evidence an initial assessment form was started by the social work department but it was not finished and a month later the department closed the case .
At this stage , the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for over a year and lived with the mother .
Two years later , in spring 2010 , a senior nurse working in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service ( CAMHS ) sent a letter to social workers “ expressing serious concerns ” that the mother was finding it difficult to manage Amy or “ give her any kind of positive experience ” .
A social work team leader replied a month later to state the case would be followed up , but there was no further contact with CAMHS .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child psychiatrist wrote to the same team leader warning as a 10 year old Amy had “ very significant behavioural problems ” and expressed concern her family placement with her mother would break down .
There was no evidence of any response .
Early in the year , a school liaison officer made a formal referral to social services expressing “ serious concerns ” about Amy ’ s troubling behaviour , including verbal abuse towards other children and teachers , and erratic behaviour .
There was no follow-up , or any initial assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required .
Only a fortnight later , a general practitioner wrote to the social work department to warn that Amy ’ s mother had disclosed concern she might injure her daughter during a domestic altercation .
The review found this was not followed up .
Three days later , Amy was admitted to an adolescent psychiatric unit , and the school liaison called the duty social worker to report the situation in the home was “ very concerning ” .
Yet again the review found no evidence of any response this report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a consultant psychiatrist seeking an “ urgent strategy meeting ” and warning Amy ’ s home situation would break down without intensive intervention .
The review said following these increasingly concerning referrals , her case was “ eventually allocated to a social worker in May 2011 ” .
A CAMHS report said Amy , who was then 11 , “ was at the emotional level of a three to five-year-old child and had attachment issues since she was four or five ” .
It recommended she begin respite breaks from her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around this time , a social worker met Amy ’ s father , who had been absent from her life for several years .
He had not attended a mandated domestic violence course for men and told the social worker he felt he did not need to .
In early 2012 , a meeting of several professionals involved in Amy ’ s case expressed concern due to the “ limited hope ” that her mother would cope with caring for her long term .
The case came to a head the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her mother phoned a social worker in an agitated state and “ threatened to kill Amy that evening ” , the review said .
After this the mother gave her consent for a voluntary care order to place her daughter with foster carers , and was provided with access visits .
More than a year later , in 2013 , Amy made “ significant allegations of prior physical abuse by her mum to [ her ] foster carer ” , the review said .
These included being hit with a brush , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her bedroom .
When social workers followed up on the allegations , the mother “ admitted she had hit Amy on a number of occasions ” , and at the time in question their relationship was very stressful .
The review found the social work department failed to adequately address these significant allegations .
Later in 2013 , the social work department received a phone call alleging previous extreme violence from Amy ’ s father towards another child , but the review found this was never followed up .
Following increased access visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to return home , and she was discharged from care to her mother in mid-2014 .
At this point Tusla had taken over responsibility for social services from the Health Service Executive .
During this crucial period , Amy ’ s case was again left unallocated when her social worker went on extended leave .
In September 2014 , Amy was again referred to CAMHS by her GP “ following concerns about suicidal thoughts ” , the review said .
A serious incident occurred between Amy and her mother in early 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dragged from the sitting room by her ponytail .
The review found no evidence of any initial assessment following a report to Tusla , despite the mother admitting to the incident .
The expert review said while it was appropriate to initially admit Amy into care , there was a failure to find suitable foster carers to meet her needs long term .
It criticised the decision for Amy to return home when “ the involved professionals had no confidence ” her mother would be able to cope .
At the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy was spending a school holiday with her father , with the intention of returning to her mother afterwards .
The report recommended in the likely event Amy ’ s placement with her mother was “ not sustainable ” that “ only realistic options for her future care should be considered ” .
It also warned her father was an “ unknown quantity ” to the social work department .
It was critical that no consideration had been given by Tusla for legal intervention following the volatile home situation after Amy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisory care court order – which would have given Tusla more authority to direct Amy ’ s care .
Despite escalating concerns after her return home , there did not appear to be “ any plans ” to allocate Amy ’ s case to a new social worker at the time of Peyton ’ s review .
In a statement , Tusla said it could not comment on individual cases .
However , a spokeswoman said recommendations from Peyton ’ s review were put in place as part of a wider “ service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area at the time .
Improvements in the area were “ clearly evident ” from subsequent Health Information and Quality Authority inspection reports , she said .
*The name of the child has been changed to protect her identity .

When she was just six years old, Amy* reported witnessing domestic abuse and physical and verbal violence between her parents, including her father punching her mother.
A psychologist’s report from 2006 said as a result of her parents fighting the young girl was “emotionally and psychologically disorganised”. Her parents were in the process of legally separating and Amy’s case was referred to the Laois-Offaly social work department to provide her with ongoing support.
However, for two years afterwards her case was left unallocated without a social worker. This was the first in a long series of failings when the health service (and later Tusla) would let Amy’s case fall through the cracks in the system.
The chronology of failures by the social work department to respond to serious concerns about the care of the young girl was laid bare in a 2015 internal review by childcare expert Lynne Peyton, never released publicly but now seen by The Irish Times.
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The review found there was “virtually no social work involvement between 2006 and 2011” in Amy’s case, despite the child being repeatedly referred to social services for support.
In early 2007, a school psychologist wrote to the social work department requesting support for the family. The following April, Amy’s psychologist made a formal report to social services after a phone call where her mother said “she did not want Amy any longer”.
There was evidence an initial assessment form was started by the social work department but it was not finished and a month later the department closed the case. At this stage, the child had not had contact with her father for over a year and lived with the mother.
‘Serious concerns’
Two years later, in spring 2010, a senior nurse working in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) sent a letter to social workers “expressing serious concerns” that the mother was finding it difficult to manage Amy or “give her any kind of positive experience”.
A social work team leader replied a month later to state the case would be followed up, but there was no further contact with CAMHS.
At the start of 2011, a consultant child psychiatrist wrote to the same team leader warning as a 10 year old Amy had “very significant behavioural problems” and expressed concern her family placement with her mother would break down. There was no evidence of any response.
Early in the year, a school liaison officer made a formal referral to social services expressing “serious concerns” about Amy’s troubling behaviour, including verbal abuse towards other children and teachers, and erratic behaviour. There was no follow-up, or any initial assessment of the referral by social workers as required.
Only a fortnight later, a general practitioner wrote to the social work department to warn that Amy’s mother had disclosed concern she might injure her daughter during a domestic altercation. The review found this was not followed up.
Three days later, Amy was admitted to an adolescent psychiatric unit, and the school liaison called the duty social worker to report the situation in the home was “very concerning”. Yet again the review found no evidence of any response this report.
The social work department received another letter from a consultant psychiatrist seeking an “urgent strategy meeting” and warning Amy’s home situation would break down without intensive intervention. The review said following these increasingly concerning referrals, her case was “eventually allocated to a social worker in May 2011”.
Domestic violence course
A CAMHS report said Amy, who was then 11, “was at the emotional level of a three to five-year-old child and had attachment issues since she was four or five”. It recommended she begin respite breaks from her mother’s home with a foster family.
Around this time, a social worker met Amy’s father, who had been absent from her life for several years. He had not attended a mandated domestic violence course for men and told the social worker he felt he did not need to.
In early 2012, a meeting of several professionals involved in Amy’s case expressed concern due to the “limited hope” that her mother would cope with caring for her long term.
The case came to a head the following month after Amy was suspended from school. Her mother phoned a social worker in an agitated state and “threatened to kill Amy that evening”, the review said. After this the mother gave her consent for a voluntary care order to place her daughter with foster carers, and was provided with access visits.
More than a year later, in 2013, Amy made “significant allegations of prior physical abuse by her mum to [her] foster carer”, the review said. These included being hit with a brush, a wooden spoon and being locked in her bedroom.
When social workers followed up on the allegations, the mother “admitted she had hit Amy on a number of occasions”, and at the time in question their relationship was very stressful.
The review found the social work department failed to adequately address these significant allegations.
Later in 2013, the social work department received a phone call alleging previous extreme violence from Amy’s father towards another child, but the review found this was never followed up.
Following increased access visits, both Amy and her mother wanted her to return home, and she was discharged from care to her mother in mid-2014. At this point Tusla had taken over responsibility for social services from the Health Service Executive.
During this crucial period, Amy’s case was again left unallocated when her social worker went on extended leave. In September 2014, Amy was again referred to CAMHS by her GP “following concerns about suicidal thoughts”, the review said.
Dragged by hair
A serious incident occurred between Amy and her mother in early 2015, where during a verbal dispute Amy was dragged from the sitting room by her ponytail. The review found no evidence of any initial assessment following a report to Tusla, despite the mother admitting to the incident.
The expert review said while it was appropriate to initially admit Amy into care, there was a failure to find suitable foster carers to meet her needs long term. It criticised the decision for Amy to return home when “the involved professionals had no confidence” her mother would be able to cope.
At the time of the review in mid- 2015, Amy was spending a school holiday with her father, with the intention of returning to her mother afterwards. The report recommended in the likely event Amy’s placement with her mother was “not sustainable” that “only realistic options for her future care should be considered”. It also warned her father was an “unknown quantity” to the social work department.
It was critical that no consideration had been given by Tusla for legal intervention following the volatile home situation after Amy’s return, such as a statutory or supervisory care court order – which would have given Tusla more authority to direct Amy’s care. Despite escalating concerns after her return home, there did not appear to be “any plans” to allocate Amy’s case to a new social worker at the time of Peyton’s review.
In a statement, Tusla said it could not comment on individual cases. However, a spokeswoman said recommendations from Peyton’s review were put in place as part of a wider “service improvement plan” introduced in the Laois-Offaly area at the time. Improvements in the area were “clearly evident” from subsequent Health Information and Quality Authority inspection reports, she said.
*The name of the child has been changed to protect her identity.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--Call for improved rent collection as 61% of Dublin council tenants in arrears

Almost two-thirds of Dublin City Council tenants were in arrears at the end of 2018 , according the local government auditor .
The latest report from the Local Government Audit Service finds that 61 per cent of all the council ’ s rent accounts are in arrears .
The statutory audit report for 2018 concluded that “ every effort ” should be made to improve rent collections , noting the financial situation “ is not sustainable ” .
The audit was published by the Department of Housing , Planning and Local Government .
The audit service said arrears of rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from €26.2 million the previous year .
The figure included a shortfall of €25.23 million in direct rent payments to the local authority , €684,000 in payments to the council under the Rental Accommodation Scheme , and €92,000 in relation to the Rent to Buy Scheme .
In a summary the auditor said “ a more focused approach is vital in addressing these significant amounts ” .
It said existing vacancies in council homes need to be addressed and “ a significant body of work is involved to ensure that rental arrears are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said it was “ essential to have up-to-date and reliable ” information on tenants ’ incomes , and it recommended a dedicated unit be established within the council to continuously review all rent accounts to avoid large retrospective bills .
In response to the situation , Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan said the council ’ s policy included issuing warning notices to tenants , and legal proceedings .
Payment arrangements were also agreed where possible , he said .
But Mr Keegan said the council had expected the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its tenant income verification system by October 2018 , and this had not happened .
As a result the council had not been able to verify the income of the tenants .
Mr Keegan said the deployment of the system was delayed for technical reasons but once in place would assist in rent reviews .
He added that Dublin City Council was reviewing its “ structure and procedures in order to ensure maximum efficiency is achieved in rent assessment and collection ” .
The audit report also noted that in 2018 shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restructured and redeemed ” .
They were replaced by annuity loans which included capitalised arrears of €841,000 .
In relation to housing loans , the auditor found there were 240 accounts in arrears for less than three months , and 74 accounts being reviewed with a view to being restructured .
Mr Keegan told the auditor the collection of housing loan arrears and restructuring of shared ownership loans had “ progressed well in 2018 ” .

Almost two-thirds of Dublin City Council tenants were in arrears at the end of 2018, according the local government auditor.
The latest report from the Local Government Audit Service finds that 61 per cent of all the council’s rent accounts are in arrears.
The statutory audit report for 2018 concluded that “every effort” should be made to improve rent collections, noting the financial situation “is not sustainable”. The audit was published by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
The audit service said arrears of rent increased to €27.83 million in 2018, from €26.2 million the previous year.
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The figure included a shortfall of €25.23 million in direct rent payments to the local authority, €684,000 in payments to the council under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, and €92,000 in relation to the Rent to Buy Scheme .
In a summary the auditor said “a more focused approach is vital in addressing these significant amounts”. It said existing vacancies in council homes need to be addressed and “a significant body of work is involved to ensure that rental arrears are managed and controlled”.
Dedicated unit
The auditor also said it was “essential to have up-to-date and reliable” information on tenants’ incomes, and it recommended a dedicated unit be established within the council to continuously review all rent accounts to avoid large retrospective bills.
In response to the situation, Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan said the council’s policy included issuing warning notices to tenants, and legal proceedings. Payment arrangements were also agreed where possible, he said.
Mr Keegan said the deployment of the system was delayed for technical reasons
But Mr Keegan said the council had expected the Department of Employment and Social Protection to provide access to its tenant income verification system by October 2018, and this had not happened. As a result the council had not been able to verify the income of the tenants.
Mr Keegan said the deployment of the system was delayed for technical reasons but once in place would assist in rent reviews. He added that Dublin City Council was reviewing its “structure and procedures in order to ensure maximum efficiency is achieved in rent assessment and collection”.
Annuity loans
The audit report also noted that in 2018 shared ownership loans totalling €12.36 million were “restructured and redeemed”. They were replaced by annuity loans which included capitalised arrears of €841,000.
In relation to housing loans, the auditor found there were 240 accounts in arrears for less than three months, and 74 accounts being reviewed with a view to being restructured.
Mr Keegan told the auditor the collection of housing loan arrears and restructuring of shared ownership loans had “progressed well in 2018”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-24--‘Serious’ child abuse allegations repeatedly not investigated

There were repeated failures by social workers to investigate “ serious and substantiated allegations of physical and emotional abuse ” of a child by her mother , and a failure to report concerns to gardaí , a confidential review has found .
The young girl , Amy* , was returned from a foster placement back to her mother ’ s home where she had been subject to alleged emotional and physical abuse , despite concerns from several professionals over the inability of her mother to care for her , a review of her case found .
Despite repeated referrals by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department , the young girl ’ s case was left unallocated without a social worker for over four years .
An expert review of how the social work department handled the case was completed in May 2015 but its findings have never been made public .
The review , seen by The Irish Times , found several “ significant allegations ” of physical abuse were “ not adequately addressed ” .
The confidential review was conducted by childcare expert Lynne Peyton and commissioned by Tusla , the Child and Family Agency , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for how the case was handled .
Tusla took over responsibility for social services from the Health Service Executive in 2014 .
Amy was “ exposed to ongoing emotional neglect , and to both physical and emotional abuse by her mother ” , the review found .
The mother admitted to several incidents of “ inappropriate physical assaults ” , and told professionals on occasions “ that she did not want Amy or that she would ‘ kill her ’ ” , the review said .
The highly critical review said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of physical and emotional abuse in 2013 , 2014 and 2015 were not reported to An Garda Síochána and did not trigger a child protection conference ” .
For over four years , the young girl ’ s case was not allocated to a social worker and from 2008 to 2011 a “ number of serious referrals about risk ” to the child were sent to the social work department but “ none of them received an appropriate response ” , the review found .
The review concluded there were “ major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided to the child .
It said it was “ concerning that a child protection and welfare case of such significant concern would be unallocated for more than four years ” and that the social work department had “ no apparent protocols for responding to serious referrals ” about Amy ’ s care from senior professionals in other services .
In early 2012 , Amy was taken into care and placed with a foster family , but two years later was returned to her mother despite concerns from professionals over her ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Laois-Offaly social work department was embroiled in a major controversy in 2015 over a large backlog of cases which were left unassessed and unallocated – which staff told the reviewer may have contributed to referrals about Amy not being addressed .
A Tusla spokeswoman said the agency could not comment on individual cases but a “ service improvement plan ” had led to significant reforms in Laois-Offaly in recent years .
*The name of the child has been changed to protect her identity .

For over four years, the young girl’s case was not allocated to a social worker and from 2008 to 2011 a “number of serious referrals about risk” were sent to the social work department but “none of them received an appropriate response”. Photograph: iStock
There were repeated failures by social workers to investigate “serious and substantiated allegations of physical and emotional abuse” of a child by her mother, and a failure to report concerns to gardaí, a confidential review has found.
The young girl, Amy*, was returned from a foster placement back to her mother’s home where she had been subject to alleged emotional and physical abuse, despite concerns from several professionals over the inability of her mother to care for her, a review of her case found.
Despite repeated referrals by several professionals to the Laois-Offaly social work department, the young girl’s case was left unallocated without a social worker for over four years.
An expert review of how the social work department handled the case was completed in May 2015 but its findings have never been made public. The review, seen by The Irish Times, found several “significant allegations” of physical abuse were “not adequately addressed”.
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The confidential review was conducted by childcare expert Lynne Peyton and commissioned by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, due to a service director's concerns for how the case was handled. Tusla took over responsibility for social services from the Health Service Executive in 2014.
Amy was “exposed to ongoing emotional neglect, and to both physical and emotional abuse by her mother”, the review found.
‘Kill her’
The mother admitted to several incidents of “inappropriate physical assaults”, and told professionals on occasions “that she did not want Amy or that she would ‘kill her’”, the review said.
The highly critical review said it was not evident why “serious and substantiated allegations of physical and emotional abuse in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were not reported to An Garda Síochána and did not trigger a child protection conference”.
For over four years, the young girl’s case was not allocated to a social worker and from 2008 to 2011 a “number of serious referrals about risk” to the child were sent to the social work department but “none of them received an appropriate response”, the review found.
The review concluded there were “major gaps in the social work support” provided to the child.
‘No apparent protocols’
It said it was “concerning that a child protection and welfare case of such significant concern would be unallocated for more than four years” and that the social work department had “no apparent protocols for responding to serious referrals” about Amy’s care from senior professionals in other services.
In early 2012, Amy was taken into care and placed with a foster family, but two years later was returned to her mother despite concerns from professionals over her ability to care for her, the review found.
The Laois-Offaly social work department was embroiled in a major controversy in 2015 over a large backlog of cases which were left unassessed and unallocated – which staff told the reviewer may have contributed to referrals about Amy not being addressed.
A Tusla spokeswoman said the agency could not comment on individual cases but a “service improvement plan” had led to significant reforms in Laois-Offaly in recent years.
*The name of the child has been changed to protect her identity.