As of January 2026, the Halpin Report, the look-back review into North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), remains unpublished, despite the completion of all individual clinical file reviews.

The review was commissioned in 2023 following the “Maskey Report” into South Kerry CAMHS, which uncovered significant harm to 46 children.

Dr. Colette Halpin’s review covers approximately 300 files of young people who were under the care of North Kerry CAMHS as of November 2022.

Truly Shameful

On the 6th of January, Keith Rolls, Partner at Coleman Legal LLP, spoke with Barry Lenihan on RTÉ’s Drivetime. You can listen to Keith Rolls speak to Barry Lenihan of RTE: Click Here

Systemic Deficits

Mr. Rolls pointed out that, similar to the South Kerry scandal, preliminary updates suggest the review identified deficits in governance, oversight, and clinical practice.  

From the number of cases reviewed in the initial sample taken and the outcome of the same, he estimated that the rate of deficits in care identified is likely to be approximately 50%

Compensation Issues

Speaking to RTÉ, Keith Rolls stated that it is “truly shameful” that no compensation scheme has been opened up for those affected.  

While a compensation scheme exists for South Kerry (with over 230 applications as of mid-2025), there is no similar, dedicated redress scheme for those affected in North Kerry, and no assurance that one will be established even after the Halpin Report is published.  

He stated that his clients had no option but to proceed with their cases in the High Court in the absence of a suitable scheme. You can listen to Keith Rolls speak to Barry Lenihan of RTE: Click Here

Current Status of the Halpin Report

  • File Reviews Completed: The HSE confirmed in May 2025 that all individual file reviews were finished.
  • Publication Delay: In late December 2025, it was confirmed that the final report is still being drafted. While the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, had previously indicated she expected publication by late 2025, the HSE currently states it is not possible to provide a specific date for its release. The original target date was March 2024.

Recent Political Commentary

Politicians have become increasingly critical of the “unacceptable” timeline, as the report was originally expected in early 2024.

Pa Daly (Sinn Féin TD, Kerry) has repeatedly criticised the delays, noting that the “pain and anguish” caused to families is being exacerbated by the lack of a final, public report.

He has called on the government to ensure the HSE publishes it without further due diligence delays. Speaking to Barry Lenihan on RTÉ’s Drivetime on the 6th of January 2025, he criticised the Minister for the continued failure to publish the Halpin report.  

He expressed his frustration that families could not get any answers and were also excluded from any compensation to help cover medical expenses.

Mary Butler (Minister for Mental Health) has stated that the HSE must follow “due diligence” to ensure the Halpin report is legally robust and comprehensive.

He maintains that her primary concern was ensuring families were informed of their individual outcomes before the general public.

However, given that the HSE has been in receipt of the draft report for over six months, the ministers’ words offer very little comfort to distressed families throughout North Kerry.

Despite an apology from the HSE, the affected families continue to endure unnecessary distress & uncertainty. The delay in publishing the Halpin report has certainly eroded any sentiment offered in the HSE’s apology. The HSE & The State must stand beside the victims instead of standing against them

If your child received care from North Kerry CAMHS and you have concerns arising from the ongoing delay in the publication of the Halpin Report, contact Coleman Legal LLP and speak to us with complete confidentiality

Telephone: 1800-844-104
Email: [email protected]