State inquiry into ‘Grace’ case moves a step closer

The Government has moved a step closer to setting up a long-awaited state investigation into foster home sexual abuse claims in the south-east after receiving a detailed independent report on the scandal.

Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath confirmed the situation last night after being handed the report by senior counsel Conor Dignam, which has been repeatedly delayed since the start of the year.

It was commissioned last year after serious allegations were made that a mute woman with significant mental disabilities was repeatedly raped and sexually abused at a foster home in the south east for almost two decades.