Noel Baker: Deaths of children in care a growing concern

The tragic death of Shane O'Connor will throw fresh focus on whether children in care are getting the mental health interventions they need, writes Noel Baker

Singer Sinead O'Connor with her son, Shane, who took his life recently.

Back in 2015, a young person in care, participating in a research project into access to mental health services for young people in the same situation, was asked what they needed. The response was "proper services". Accompanied by a laugh.

It was a wry and knowing response, but the reality wasn't funny then, and it isn't funny now. That study was co-authored by Dr Rosaleen McElvaney, a Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer in Psychotherapy at Dublin City University, but someone who is also a member of the National Review Panel, the independent body which examines the deaths of children and young people in, or known to, care services. And now she may well find herself entrusted with reviewing the most recent death - that of Shane O'Connor.