Michael Noonan (above) was Minister for Health when ‘Grace’ was returned to an abusive foster parent in 1996
This morning.
Via Independent.ie:
Gardaí are recommending criminal prosecutions following their lengthy investigation into the long-running ‘Grace’ foster home abuse case.
…A bulky file has now been submitted to the DPP. This is the second Garda investigation to have been held into the case, which was described by a High Court judge as a scandal [see below]….
An initial investigation was started in 2010 under the direction of a district superintendent.
Gardaí said this began as a result of disclosures made by a social worker, which provided details of possible sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect by Grace’s foster parents.
Gardaí recommend criminal prosecution in ‘Grace’ abuse case (Independent.ie)
Meanwhile….
Grace’s mother during a 2017 interview with RTÉ Investigates
Who is Grace?
Grace’ was born to a single mother in the southeast of Ireland in the late 1970s.
She was supposed to be put up for adoption but, instead, was put into foster care soon after her birth.
She was born with microcephaly and was mute.
From 1989 until 2009, Grace lived with a set of foster parents.
The foster father – who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1999 and who died in 2000 – was accused of sexually abusing another child in their care in 1996, at which point it was decided that no more children would be placed in their care and that Grace would be removed.
The foster parents appealed this decision to remove Grace.
In a letter (above) dated August 9, 1996, to the then Health Minister Michael Noonan, the foster father stated that he and the foster mother lost this appeal and that they were appealing to the minister to “decide in their favour”.
On August 26, 1996, Mr Noonan received a second letter appealing for Grace to remain with the foster parents. But this second letter was from the principal of a school attended by a grandson of the foster parents.
On November 14, 1996, the foster parents were told Grace could stay with them.
Grace remained there for another 13 years.
Approving a €6.3million settlement to Grace in 2017, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said the decision to remove Grace had been reversed by a three-person committee in the health board for reasons which remained a mystery to this day.
Via RTÉ
He said this was after representations were made by the foster parents to the then minister for health.…He asked what extraordinary hold the foster family had over the health board officials who made the decision. He said if it was not for the fact that a commission of inquiry has been set up, he would have wanted answers to these questions.
Previously: Unfinished Business
The “Extraordinary Hold” Foster Family Had Over The Health Board
Relatively good news. How much longer before it actually happens?
When Baldy buys the farm.
I’m not usually one for wishing ill on people, but I hope the rest of Baldy’s long, long life is spent in pain and discomfort, in a state of misery and fear. It’s nothing less than the enabler deserves.
People like him feel they are above the law, I’d guess that he’s not too worried.
Yep. My take on it too. The links you provided underneath (related posts) are as interesting as regards Noonan.
Baldy Noonan must be after getting the last rights so
Ok, that’s opportunistic
Besides my attitude towards him will never change
whether he’s alive or dead
Anyway
Great news to learn that Criminal Proceedings are in the offing
Maybe that committee, bit rich to call them a committee when its just three btw,
could be the office smokers group for all we know
Won’t be a mystery for much longer
anyway lookit, at least Grace and her family are getting somewhere closer to the truth and the decisions that thrashed their lives
No FG apologists taking a lead on it then?
Excellent piece. Thanks Broadsheet for not forgetting about this.
Can a Minister be deemed criminally negligent in the discharge of their duties?
In Ireland? Doubt it Otis. This is the land of milk and honey for politicians. The only smack down they get is at the polling booth, and even if they get rejected there the ones looking for re-election ride off with multiple pensions.
The thing they don’t like is being ‘sectioned’ by ordinary folk in public.
I needed this reminder of the specifics of the Grace case. Thank you