Parents were ‘too drunk’ to take care of children

LIKE thousands more this year, the McGuckins and their children trooped into the Aparthotel Mourabel in Vilamoura last Friday evening for a one-week stay.

Staff described them as well-dressed, “nice people” with well-behaved children, who were clearly excited about a week on the beach.

But little did they know what would transpire. As director of a local children’s home, Dr Luis Villas-Boas would comment later that never in his 22 years working in child protection had he seen such a case.