A defiant Disability Minister Finian McGrath has restated his claim that some families of disabled people are “dumping” their relatives in state institutions and failing to visit them.

It was Pádraig Pearse who wrote “Lord, thou art hard on mothers: We suffer in their coming and their going.”

A woman whose adult child has significant disabilities and is living in a health facility has heavily criticised Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath for saying some families are “dumping” relatives in the units.

Lily Barrett is in her second term as president of South Tipperary ICA Federation. She is the last surviving founder member of Killenaule ICA.