Monageer inquiry report delayed

An inquiry into the deaths of a family of four in their Co Wexford home last year has been delayed – for the third time.

Adrian Dunne, his wife Ciara and their two children were found dead in April 2007, three days after visiting an undertaker.

The couple aroused suspicions after they gave specific instructions on how their daughters, five-year-old Leanne and three-year-old Shania, were to be buried in the event of their death.

It later emerged that authorities had been warned in advance of a possible risk to the safety of the children.

The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths received a two-month time extension in April.

In July the Government approved a further three-month period until September 7.

A Government spokesman said today that an additional one-month extension, until October 7, was granted after complex legal and technical issues arose.

“The extra time will be necessary to complete the report to the satisfaction of the inquiry team,” the spokesman said.

The inquiry is being chaired by barrister Kate Brosnan and also includes retired assistant garda commissioner Jim McHugh and Citizens Information Board chief Leonie Lunny.

The inquiry is tasked with making recommendations to the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Justice as to how such an event may be avoided in future through better co-operation between state agencies.