Children may not be cherished equally

THE resolution of the scandal over Roma children being removed from their families can be foretold. The internal inquiry being conducted by An Garda Síochána into the case of the 7-year-old girl in Tallaght will conclude that the officers who took the children into care made a poor judgment call.

There was a systems failure. Incorrect information about the child’s birth was conveyed from a maternity hospital. The officers acted in good faith.

There will be recommendations about training. Alan Shatter will tell the Dáil that lessons must be learnt. And then it will all blow over and everybody can let uncomfortable thoughts about the affair dissipate into the dark recesses of memory.