Parents bid to bring autistic children out of care

Caroline O’Doherty

The four boys were placed in care voluntarily last Friday after officials secured a court order giving them powers to forcibly remove the children.

The move followed media interviews in which the couple spoke of their struggle to care for their children and their long-running battle with local health authorities for improved support services.

A group of more than 100 people joined the parents in a protest outside the Health Service Executive (HSE) regional offices in Kells, Co Meath yesterday, to support the family and demand better services for autistic children.

Family support group, the Irish Autistic Alliance, handed in a letter of complaint about the way the case had been handled and also offered to mediate between the family and health workers.

Discussions took place throughout the afternoon but no agreement was reached and the brothers were kept in care for a fourth night. It is understood they are not in units specialising in the care of children with autism.

The family are from Co Meath but the legislation under which the health authorities acted prohibits publication of their identity despite their willingness to go public with their plight.

Munster MEP and disability campaigner Kathy Sinnott said parents were left in fear of losing their children if they spoke out.

“There is an awful lot of anger, disbelief and shock,” she said.

“I feel this was a reprisal because of the media coverage. It was a big message to all of us to stop looking for services, stop going to court, stop talking to the media.

“It really is bully-boy tactics. The health board is saying: if you are going to tell us you cannot cope then we are going to take your children off you. The powers that be have picked the perfect weapon.”

That view was echoed by Irish Society for Autism chairman, Dr James Hayes, a GP in Co Meath, who said the HSE’s actions were intimidatory.

“Parent after parent has told me they feel terrified,” he said.

The HSE, which last Thursday issued a statement saying the family was already in receipt of a substantial care package, would not comment further on the case last night.