More tragic deaths - Harrowing indictment

IT is tragic that up to 35 children or teenagers, known to protection services, have died since March of last year.

That we knew of their difficulties only adds to the concerns focussed on this area. A tiny minority were in formal care.

HSE figures published yesterday underline how very difficult this area is. Some deaths were caused by drug overdoses, others by suicide or medical issues. Some may have been preventable but, tragically, others probably were not.