No proper investigation of my husband’s treatment, says Una Butler

An East Cork woman whose husband killed their children before killing himself has accused the HSE of failing to properly investigate the circumstances which led to their deaths.

Asked to comment on the death of Eoghan and Ruairi Chada in Co Mayo earlier this week, Una Butler from Ballycotton said “my condolences go to the families of these two young boys”.

“I do not know and do not presume that there are any similarities between my loss and the awful events of this week. However if there are, then the call I have made for mandatory risk assessments to be carried out on children of mental health patients has an even greater urgency.

“It is somewhat ironic that this news comes to me at the same time as I receive a copy of a letter that my solicitor Ernest Cantillon sent to the HSE in which he reminds the HSE that they promised an investigation into my late husband’s treatment or lack thereof,” she said.

“In the letter Mr Cantillon reminded the HSE that ‘when the media spotlight is focused on this matter, steps were taken but now it seems that as that spotlight is not on this matter anymore, no steps have been taken to progress matters.”

Her husband John killed their daughters Ella and Zoe, before killing himself, in Nov 2010. Zoe was six years old while Ella was aged two.

Una Butler has said she never believed her children were at risk from her husband. She is now campaigning for the involvement of spouses and partners in the treatment of loved ones suffering from mental health difficulties.

The Mental Health Commission has made a formal request that the case would be looked at by the national director of quality and patient safety.

Last night a spokesman for the HSE said “a review of the care afforded to the late Mr Butler is near completion”.

“The HSE will be in contact with Mrs Butler in order to discuss the findings,” she said.