HSE given court order to take children in care

THE health authorities last night secured a court order to place four autistic children in care.

The controversial decision followed a claim, earlier this week by a Meath family, that they had been denied basic support services.

The parents of the children, Padraig and Mary O'Hara, last night voluntarily agreed to having their children placed in care after gardaí and social workers, in possession of a court order, arrived at their Kells home.

The children will remain in care over the weekend.

The parents, who were both forced to give up their jobs to provide round-the-clock care, had spoken publicly, earlier this week about their struggle with the health authorities.

The couple said they had been battling for several years to get basic support and education services for their children. The family has a fifth child who attends a normal school.

A family solicitor attended at the O'Hara home last night. Following lengthy discussions the parents agreed to voluntarily place their children in temporary respite care.

In the past, the children had been looked after some weekends by foster families. The health authorities had also withdrawn funding to provide care assistants.

The distraught parents said they were being punished for highlighting the State's negligence in support for the children.

Mr O'Hara said he was devastated at the actions of the health board.

The local health board had assessed the family over a year ago and compiled a report detailing its needs. However, no further action was taken by the board.

Mr O'Hara said: "We were told we had to make a deal or they could legally arrest us for obstructing them in their job. We've been in negotiations with them for the last 11 months over a package of services and dealing generally with the health board for two and half years. Yet, they've been able to get a court order in just six hours."

The care order is due to be dealt with before a district court on Monday.

In a statement last night, the HSE said children had been taken into care under the Children's Act. The agency said the decision was taken to ensure the children's safety and welfare.

"In the interests of the parent and the child in this case, we will not be making any further comment," the spokeswoman added.

The O'Hara's oldest son, Fionn, 16, suffers from dyslexia. The other four children Oisin, 13; Blaine, nine; Seadna, five and four-year-old Cionnaola have autism.

The two youngest cannot feed or dress themselves and are not toilet-trained.