State ‘failed to protect at-risk teenager in Dublin’

An official inquiry has reportedly highlighted a litany of child-protection failures in the case of a Dublin teenager who died of a drugs overdose while in state care.

The inquiry investigated the case of 18-year-old Tracey Fay, from Coolock, who died in January 2002 after spending four years in the care of her local authority.

It has reportedly found that she was not provided with the appropriate care and support, leaving her at risk of abuse and exploitation.

Instead of receiving stable accommodation, she was forced to stay in 20 different B&Bs, as well as in hospital beds and a bench in an A&E ward.

She also spent much of her time wandering the streets because she was not allowed to access emergency care accommodation during the day.

The inquiry has made 50 recommendations on reforming child protection services, including automatic investigations into the deaths of children in care.