‘Grace’ case must prompt reform after foster care scandal shocked the nation

It is time to demand our watchkeepers protect the country’s most vulnerable children and make tangible changes to our child protection system and processes, writes Linda Gibbons

THE case of ‘Daniel’ highlighted this week follows that of Grace, a case described “as the most savage rape, physical abuse, and neglect ever to emerge”. The case of Grace and the foster care scandal has deeply shocked the nation.

Grace, who is “unable to speak and with a profound intellectual disability”, was an exceptionally vulnerable child when referred to the State for care at 11 years of age.