Sex abuse cases: HSE apology is hollow without explanation

Health body accepts ‘failings’ after leaving mute woman with family that sexually and physically abused her, but little will change until reports into the matter are published, writes political reporter Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

A year on from the scandal first becoming public and seven years after the HSE was first informed of its mistake, the State has finally apologised for leaving a mute woman with severe intellectual disabilities with a foster care family accused of horrendous sexual, physical, and financial abuse for than 20 years.

However, as ever, finding out the exact reasons why the HSE is apologising is like pulling teeth — a problem exacerbated by the fact the patient appears to be fighting the dentist every step of the way.