State inquiry into Grace case to be signed off this morning

The Cabinet is due to sign off this morning on the terms for a state inquiry into the handling of the Grace case.

The Government will today launch a year-long investigation into the ‘Grace’ foster abuse scandal which will focus on cover-up claims, “threats” against whistle-blowers, and the actions of still-employed senior officials central to the case, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Claire O'Sullivan and Daniel McConnell.

However, the commission will ignore calls for the cases of at least 46 other vulnerable people placed at the home to be formally included, despite evidence a small number were also physically and sexually abused over a 30-year period.