North Kerry CAMHS: Status of the “Look-back” Review
The HSE commissioned a “Look-back Review” for North Kerry following a random audit in 2022 which raised concerns about prescribing practices.
- File Reviews Complete: The HSE has confirmed that the clinical review of all relevant files (led by Dr. Colette Halpin) has been completed.
- Family Notification: If you or your child were part of this review, you should have already been contacted. The HSE stated that they have written to all affected families to inform them of the findings specific to their child’s care.
- Open Disclosure: “Open disclosure” meetings have been held with families where concerns were identified, allowing them to discuss the findings directly with clinicians.
The Final Report (Delayed)
Despite the individual file reviews being finished, the official publication of the overarching report has been significantly delayed.
- Current Status: As of late 2025, the HSE has stated that it cannot provide a definitive publication date.
- Reason for Delay: The HSE has cited the complexity of the review and the need for “due diligence” and legal processes before the final document can be released publicly.
- Political Pressure: Local TDs (such as Pa Daly and Michael Cahill) have raised the issue in the Dáil, criticising the delay, which prevents families from accessing closure and could stall their access to compensation schemes.
North Kerry vs. South Kerry (Maskey)
It is important to distinguish between the two investigations, as they are at different stages:
| Feature | South Kerry (Maskey) | North Kerry (Halpin) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Complete (Report published Jan 2022). | Ongoing (File review done, report pending). |
| Findings | Found significant harm to 46 children; risk to 240. | Triggered by an audit of 50 files where 16 raised concerns. |
| Compensation | Specific state compensation scheme active. | No specific scheme yet; relies on individual legal claims. |
Compensation and Legal Redress
Unlike South Kerry, where a specific government compensation scheme was quickly established, the path for North Kerry families is currently less clear.
- Legal Action: Many families in North Kerry have sought independent legal advice. Law firms (such as Coleman Legal) are actively investigating cases on behalf of North Kerry families.
- Impact of Delay: The delay in publishing the final report is a barrier for families seeking to move forward with legal claims or to demand a similar compensation scheme to that provided for South Kerry.
Nationwide Context
The Mental Health Commission (MHC) published a wider report on CAMHS services nationally in July 2023.
This report highlighted that North Kerry operates in an area with some of the highest deprivation scores in the region (CHO 4), adding pressure to an already strained service.
The MHC has continued to call for the immediate regulation of CAMHS under the Mental Health Act to enforce standards.
Next Steps
If you are a parent involved, you should have already received a letter or a meeting request from the HSE. If you have not, or are unsure of your child’s status, you need to contact the HSE directly.
Helpline: The HSE previously established a dedicated information line for North Kerry CAMHS reviews.
You can try contacting the North Kerry CAMHS Information Line at 1800 742 800 (Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm) to confirm the status of your child’s file.
Coleman Legal LLP working for many families in North Kerry
Coleman Legal LLP has been contacted by up to 200 families in North Kerry since the publication of the Maskey report in January 2022.
We are aware that several North Kerry families have received an apology from the HSE for care deficits experienced by North Kerry CAMHS patients while receiving care.
From our instructions to date, a distinct and similar pattern has emerged in the treatment received by patients in both South and North Kerry.
Speaking to reporter Barry Lenihan on RTE’s Drivetime, Solicitor and Partner at Coleman Legal LLP, Keith Rolls called for the extension of the review:
Unfortunately, many people remain outside that scope: those who recently completed North Kerry CAMHS services and those who completed two years ago.
Our firm has received numerous instructions from adults, young adults, and people in their twenties, and based on what they have informed us, we believe they have experienced care deficits.
He called for the review to be extended to closed and historic cases and emphasised the need for the full review to proceed without further delays.
He added that Coleman Legal LLP has been contacted by over 300 families nationwide with grave concerns about the treatment they received at North Kerry CAMHS.
