A mother has urged parents to never take their eyes off their children, saying “we were seconds away from our worst nightmare”.

A special care unit for vulnerable children, seriously criticised in a report two months ago, has made “considerable improvements”, according to children’s minister Frances Fitzgerald.

GIRLS going missing in the middle of the night, stolen keys, out-of-control behaviour, self-harming, and staff who could not cope with teenagers in their care.

SIX charges against former Ireland international soccer player Gary Kelly were struck out at Drogheda district court yesterday after the judge was told by the alleged victims they did not want to proceed with their complaints.