HSE to carry out internal review of events leading up to deaths

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) is to carry out an internal review of its response to the events leading up to the tragic deaths of the Dunne family.

In a statement issued last night, the HSE also said it would co-operate with any external inquiry.

Yesterday, the HSE defended its handling of the case in light of growing criticism. It confirmed:

* There was no active social work file on the Dunne family.

* On the afternoon of Friday, April 20, the entire family attended a routine appointment with a public health nursing service for developmental checks on the children. This lasted approximately two hours and no concerns regarding the family or the welfare of the children arose during the visit.

* On the same day (Friday), the HSE understands that concerns were communicated to gardaí regarding Mr Dunne.

* On the afternoon of the following day (Saturday), these concerns were shared with the local HSE through its child care manager.

* The child care manager, in turn, contacted a social worker on Saturday to establish whether an active social work file was open on the family; it was confirmed that this was not the case and the children were not identified as being at risk.

* The child care manager spoke with a garda superintendent and advised him of the authority of the gardaí to invoke Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 to remove the children if they deemed them to be at risk.

* On Monday, the child care manager referred the case to the social work service at the start of business on that morning. The social work team immediately carried out an assessment of all the information available to them at that stage and proceeded to carry out a home visit.

Because of the impact of the tragedy on the local community and health service workers involved, counselling and support for anybody affected by the tragedy, is available from the HSE in association with Console National Helpline at the free phone number 1800 201 890.

A spokesperson for the HSE said around-the-clock counselling is also available locally.

“Counselling is available locally to the immediate family. We have been advising them of support available through the bereavement liaison service and we are also making arrangements in terms of contacting the community forum with the aim of distributing leaflets outlining the services available.”

The HSE extended its deepest sympathy to the extended Dunne and to all those impacted by the tragedy.