State refused interim care order for newborn

A judge who refused to grant the State an interim care order (ICO) for a newborn baby heard that the HSE had placed an older sibling with the mother’s brother against whom credible allegations of sexual abuse had been made.

During the hearing, the court heard the mother had alleged her brother had sexually abused the child and had reported the matter to the gardaí, but nothing had happened. The judge invited the HSE to seek a supervision order instead of an ICO.

“If the court were to grant an ICO, the chances of [the mother] being reunited with her child at this stage would be greatly minimised in that it is greatly difficult for her to bond with her child. The court believes that the mother deserves a chance.”