A tragic life and death - A scandal that had to be revealed

IT shows the skewed loyalties of the Health Service Executive that their first response to the publication of a report on the awful life and death, eight years ago, of an 18-year-old woman in their care, was to question the fact that the tragedy was even made public.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, responded in a more honest way when he said that the woman – Tracey Fay as she has become known – was failed by the State.

The HSE may skirt the real issues by hiding behind a publishing veto but this report reveals a scandal almost of Ryan or Murphy report proportions. It should have been made public years ago, certainly not eight years after the tragic event. If the HSE has properly considered the balance of rights involved it would have published the report a long time ago – had they completed it. At least Mr Andrews partially acknowledged this when he said the lengthy delay could not be defended.