Deasy calls for public probe into teen’s death
Mr Deasy yesterday said that a supervision order had been made for Michelle in November 2004 but that the Health Service Executive didn’t put her into care.
He said he himself had raised the possibility in October 2005 that Michelle was at risk of dying or causing the death of others, but that the HSE never responded to two letters he sent.
“This is the issue. Why did the HSE revert from that decision? Did it do everything it should have to prevent this young girl’s death? These are the questions that need to be answered,” he said last night.
The Irish Examiner has seen correspondence between the Dungarvan deputy and the HSE, Southern Region from late 2005 when he raised the case of Michelle.
In the October letter, he asked why “a supervision order was initiated last November (2004), but never acted on”.
He went on to express concern that this young girl might die or cause the death of somebody else.
On December 1, he again wrote to the HSE saying he was concerned that “nothing had happened”.
On both occasions, he said, the HSE did not reply. However, the HSE yesterday said that the correspondence from Mr Deasy had been “acted on”, with full case conferences being held with respect to the Bray family and its circumstances. There were also concerns about other family members.
Mr Deasy also told the Irish Examiner that his first indirect contact on the Bray case came through a concerned employee of the HSE.
Following yesterday’s revelation, Minister for Health Mary Harney confirmed that she and Children’s Minister Brian Lenihan had asked the HSE to launch an inquiry.
However, she pointed to the HSE’s own statement “disputing the facts that have been put into the public domain”.
Ms Harney said, “I know that a whole team of professionals were very active working with this family and with this girl, and unfortunately, they weren’t able to save her life.
“But we want a full inquiry. Minister Lenihan has sought a full inquiry from the HSE in relation to this particular case.”
A senior HSE manager in Waterford, Dermot Halpin, yesterday said the correspondence received in relation to the Bray family had been acted on.
“While it would be inappropriate to discuss personal circumstances, a considerable level of support was extended to the Bray family,” he said.
“The HSE’s primary aim in circumstances such as the one in Dungarvan is to work with children within the family context... the option of taking children into care is normally considered as a last resort.
“As a result of the HSE’s intervention in the situation facing the Bray family in 2004, despite what would have been well founded concerns on the part of individuals, matters had settled down considerably throughout 2005 concerning members of this family in Dungarvan.”
Mr Halpin said that at no time was the residential care option ruled out, but that a decision was taken for the HSE to engage directly with the Brays, and maintain the family unit.
* November 2004: Supervision order made in relation to Michelle Bray
* October 25 2005: John Deasy TD writes to HSE Southern Region expressing concern about Michelle and other family members. Asks why she was not put into care. Raises possibility that she may die or may cause the death of another.
* December 1 2005: Deasy writes again expressing concern that “nothing has happened“, pointing out that Michelle and other family member have dropped out of school.
* December 2005: HSE does not reply to letters but says they were “acted upon“.
* Unknown dates: Full case conferences held. Decision taken not to put Michelle in care.
* January 21 2007: Michelle, aged 14, dies apparently after sniffing solvents in Dungarvan.
* January 25 2007: HSE launches inquiry upon request of Minister Harney.
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