ISPCC calls for 24-hour social work service

CHILD rights campaigners have called for a 24-hour social work service as a matter of urgency on the third anniversary of the deaths of Sharon Grace and her two children in Wexford.

The mother of three from Barntown, who suffered from depression, had called to Wexford’s Ely Hospital on April 16, 2005, looking for a social worker. None was available on the Saturday Ms Grace made her request as the area’s social work service only ran during the working week.

Hours after walking out of the hospital, Ms Grace, 28, drowned her daughters, Abby, 4, and Mikahla, 3, and herself at Kaats Strand, a short stretch of beach just under Wexford bridge, on April 16, 2005. Yesterday was the anniversary of their deaths and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) called on the Health Service Executive to ensure 24-hour social workers were available to deal with emergencies.