HSE asks Shatter to withdraw report from public record

Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter is said to be "considering" the HSE's request that he withdraw from the public record a report into the case of a young woman who died in 2002 while in State care.

FG Children's spokesperson Shatter yesterday published the damning report into the case of the 18-year-old - identified in the document by the initials 'TF' - which highlighted a litany of failures in the social services' handling of her case.

The young woman, who first came into contact with social workers in 1984, aged just eight months, died from a drugs overdose in January 2002.

She had been in the care of the State from the age of 14. The report details how during the first six months of her care she spent 255 nights in 20 different B&Bs; concerns over her drug use and possible prostitution; and her falling pregnant twice while in the care of the Eastern Health Board.

The HSE has criticised Deputy Shatter, saying publication of the report breached the rights of the woman's family, and have written to the FG TD asking him to withdraw it from the public record.

Children's Minister Barry Andrews has also rejected accusations that there was a 'cover-up' of the case.