Five children died in State care in 2011 and 2012

Five children have died in State care over the last two years, it was revealed today.

Figures show another 30 youngsters who were known to child protection services died in 2011 or 2012, and two teenagers died while in aftercare support.

Elsewhere, two other children suffered serious incidents, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said.

The details of seven of the deaths were outlined in a series of reports by the national review panel for serious incidents and child deaths.

Dr Helen Buckley, chairman, said the review process is difficult and painful for the bereaved families and others who knew or worked with the children.

“Their inputs have informed the conclusions reached in the reports, and have contributed to the learning points identified in them,” she added.