Criminal prosecution is sought in ‘Grace’ case
GARDAÍ are recommending criminal prosecutions following their lengthy investigation into the long-running Grace foster home abuse case.
The Garda investigation began four years ago after a whistleblower made a formal complaint about decisions affecting Grace’s care.
Grace, who has a severe intellectual disability, remained with a foster family in the southeast of the country for almost 20 years after other children in the home had been removed because of allegations of sexual abuse.
A Garda file on the case has now been completed and sent by investigators to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ultimately determines if criminal charges should be brought.
In 2017, the High Court awarded Grace a €6.3m settlement as a result of the failures of the State to care for her properly.
GARDAÍ are recommending criminal prosecutions following their lengthy investigation into the long-running ‘Grace’ foster home abuse case.
The Garda investigation began four years ago after a whistleblower made a formal complaint about decisions affecting Grace’s care.
The investigation has been carried out at the same time as the Farrelly Commission of Investigation, which was set up by the Government.
Grace (not her real name), who has a severe intellectual disability, was allowed to remain with a foster family in the south-east of the country for almost 20 years after other children in the home had been removed because of allegations of sexual abuse.
A Garda file on the case has now been completed and sent by investigators to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ultimately determines if criminal charges should be brought.
It is understood the gardaí have recommended charges related to alleged endangerment and negligence in the handling of the case.
The investigation has been described as highly complex and the Garda team spearheading the probe called upon the services of several Garda specialist units to help.
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.
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.
An investigation file was submitted in November 2012 to the law officers but did not result in any prosecutions.
Gardaí said: “Following on from this investigation and as a result of other concerns being identified, including those relating to the original vulnerable person, as well as others who were placed with the original foster carers, a further investigation began under the direction of the divisional chief superintendent.”
Grace was said to have been subjected to horrific sexual abuse over almost two decades. She was first placed in the home in 1989 and remained there until 2009.
In 2017, then Taoiseach Enda
Kenny said: “Words do not exist to describe adequately the depth and the volume of the revulsion we feel about the alleged abuse and failures we’ve heard of.”
The High Court in 2017 awarded Grace a €6.3m settlement as a result of the failures of the State to care for her properly.
Approving the settlement, then High Court president, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, said it was “not just shocking but a scandal” that a young woman, with intellectual disabilities, had been left in the care of a foster family for 20 years, despite physical abuse, gross neglect and possible sexual abuse.
The judge said the reasons why Grace was left in the foster care placement in 1996 despite recommendations from professionals and health board personnel that she be removed remained a mystery.
In 2009, Grace had cut “a sad figure”, who was voiceless, dirty, unkempt and whose only possession was a child’s toy, which she held on to “for dear life” and still clings to, he said.
Her condition had improved since, he was pleased to note.
While money was no compensation for what Grace had suffered, it was “the best the law can do”.
The settlement would ensure she would be properly looked after and have some of the comforts she was entitled to receive.
The investigation has been described as highly complex