Failings by State agencies led to inquiries after past scandals

PREVIOUS deeply shocking child sexual abuse scandals in Kilkenny and Roscommon brought into focus shortcomings in the response of State agencies and led to inquiries.

There were plenty of warning signs for authorities in the infamous Kilkenny incest case, where a man ritually abused his daughter over a 16-year period between 1976 and 1991.

The abuse continued despite the girl’s attendance in hospital with broken arms and bruising and interaction between the family and social services.

Horrific details of the continual rape and assault of the girl only emerged when her father went on trial in 1993.

A subsequent inquiry led by Judge Catherine McGuinness highlighted poor communication between agencies and social workers, deficiencies in record-keeping and a failure by the State to afford specific rights to children.

Sixteen years after the Kilkenny trial another case would scar the public consciousness, this time in Roscommon.

A mother was jailed in 2009 for incest, sexual abuse and neglect of her six children.

The offences took place at the family home over a six-year period when the children were aged between six and 15.

The children were also abused by their father, who was jailed for rape and assault.

This abuse occurred despite the family being well known to the then Western Health Board as far back as 1989. The family lived in squalid conditions, where as well as being sexually abused, they were beaten and often went hungry.

A subsequent inquiry found the health board did recognise the neglect that was occurring but failed to follow up decisions taken by child protection officers in a manner that would have better protected the children.