Burton supports full judicial inquiry into HSE abuse case
Tánaiste Joan Burton has said a full judicial inquiry will be required to investigate how a number of people with severe intellectual disabilities were kept with a foster care family accused of extreme abuse.
Ms Burton said: “There are a number of procedures under way at the moment as should happen but I would say that ultimately, and it will take a little bit of time, we should see a full judicial inquiry.
“The matters are very important.”
The Tánaiste, who was herself raised by adoptive parents, said: “Like a lot of people who have been in the care system in this country I have certainly found the revelations in relation to the case that has been in the media and in the papers about what happened to some people in care in the South East extremely disturbing.
“We will have a conversation around that for instance at Cabinet tomorrow, there are probably 50,000 to 60,000 people in Ireland, who like me, would have spent part of their childhoods in care and I think it’s very important that the Government address that.
“Obviously there are a number of inquiries under way, including by senior council, but ultimately my own view is that ultimately that will require a judicial inquiry and that’s a very important discussion among other important issues.
“I think ultimately that’s going to be required because the issues raised by the case are extremely important and I think anybody who has been in the care system in Ireland, it’s of very personal significance that we would find out what exactly happened.”
