Finian McGrath: Truth of sex abuse cover-up allegations must be revealed

Allegations that officials tried to cover up alleged sex abuse in a foster home must be addressed by health chiefs, Junior Health Minister Finian McGrath has declared.

Mr McGrath has also said he wants to see two previous reports into the ‘Grace’ foster abuse scandal published, and that a Garda investigation may still be warranted.

His comments come after an independent report into the Grace case last week concluded that the HSE failed to properly investigate claims of a cover-up.

The Dignam report also found the HSE failed to properly investigate the alleged “deliberate destruction of files”, and threats to pull funding for the whistleblower who highlighted the scandal in the south east.

A commission of inquiry is to be held into the care of Grace, a young woman with severe intellectual disabilities, who was left in the home by the HSE for 13 years after sex abuse allegations were first raised about the facility.

Writing in today’s Irish Examiner, Mr McGrath says the truth about what happened in the foster home must be established.

“Respect for our vulnerable people with disabilities and ensuring their protection while in our care is the context in which I see the forthcoming commission of investigation into the care of individuals with a disability in a foster home in the south east and the role of relevant public bodies in this matter.

“We owe it to Grace, all the individuals who passed through this home, and their families, to find out the truth of their experience living in this home and how this matter was dealt with by relevant public bodies.”

Evidence to PAC on ‘Grace’ inaccurate https://t.co/kbcx5AU5BP via @McConnellDaniel @Ocionnaith (GM) pic.twitter.com/rC3ULJIB9C

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) November 4, 2016

Terms for the inquiry will shortly be brought before the Cabinet and the Oireachtas, the minister with special responsibilities for the disabled pledged.

“These terms of reference will be brought to cabinet and the Oireachtas shortly.

“I am confident that the impending commission of investigation will deliver the truth of what happened in this foster home and how these matters were dealt with subsequently.

“I will ensure that the learning from this particular case will have a positive impact on service provision for vulnerable people with disabilities in our care.”

John Deasy last week told the Dáil a senior HSE manager had tried to fire a whistleblower in the Grace case in a situation which it has now emerged involved entirely “fabricated claims”. The Waterford TD said a HSE manager tried to “ruin” the whistleblower’s career.

The Dignam report was critical of the manner in which whistleblower claims were addressed. There have also been claims that the alleged HSE cover-up involved the deliberate destruction of files.

Mr McGrath, speaking to RTÉ’s This Week, said he wanted the claims of a cover-up answered by the HSE. “I want to get their response to the Dignam report. Secondly, I want to deal with the issue of the allegations of the cover-up. I want to find out details about the delays.”

The minister also wants to know why two previous reports into the foster abuse scandal have not been published. The Dignam report concluded, despite concerns about ongoing separate Garda inquiries, there was no reason why these could not be released.

“My personal view is I would err on the side of the public interest and make sure these reports are published,” he said.

Mr McGrath said the allegations about how whistleblowers in the case had been treated and the claims of a cover-up were very “serious”. He found the whistleblowers “solid and reliable” when he met them.

He also wanted the inquiry to stay focused on Grace, including the concerns about 40 other children who passed through the home.

A Garda investigation could proceed at a later stage, but due process was necessary first, he said.

READ MORE: We must do all we can to protect the vulnerable in our care