Assessment of Need delays in Ireland are at record levels, with children facing waiting times of more than two years and families left without timely support guaranteed under the Disability Act 2005.
A High Court ruling allows a woman to continue her sexual abuse civil claim against her brother. The court found no unfair trial risk despite a 40-year delay in bringing the case.
The North Kerry CAMHS Review led by Dr. Colette Halpin has completed its assessment of around 300 patient files, but the report remains unpublished despite being drafted in June 2025. This delay is causing significant distress for affected families, particularly given that 50% of reviewed cases have resulted in apologies from the HSE, compared to just 15% in the South Kerry Maskey Review.
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The first report detailed 108 separate incidents of sexual abuse perpetrated by a resident in the centre, given the pseudonym “Brandon”.
The assaults were carried out between 2003 and 2016 when the perpetrator was transferred to a private nursing home. Upwards of 18 intellectually disabled adults were victims of the residence, the majority of them being non-verbal. An alleged rape was also included in the report.
The initial investigation, carried out by the National Independent Review Panel, was released in December 2021 and although its time frame was limited to between 2003 and 2018, there were earlier recordings of abuse.
The first occurred in 1997 when “Brandon” had his hands on another resident’s genitals. Three further assaults occurred before the end of 2002. These earlier records indicate that the resident’s behaviour had been known to management before 2003, according to the report.
The allegations of abuse, and the HSE’s mismanagement of same, only came to light in 2016 when a local TD, Thomas Pringle, was approached by a whistleblower.
A second “validation report”, arising from a follow-up investigation, has reportedly been published internally by the HSE. Many fear this report will uncover more incidents of abuse at the centre. The HSE has commented that it is in contact with those impacted by the follow-up report and is working to implement its recommendations.
A High Court ruling allows a woman to continue her sexual abuse civil claim against her brother. The court found no unfair trial risk despite a 40-year delay in bringing the case.
The North Kerry CAMHS Review led by Dr. Colette Halpin has completed its assessment of around 300 patient files, but the report remains unpublished despite being drafted in June 2025. This delay is causing significant distress for affected families, particularly given that 50% of reviewed cases have resulted in apologies from the HSE, compared to just 15% in the South Kerry Maskey Review.
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The Sodium Valproate Inquiry in Ireland officially commenced on 22 July 2025, marking a crucial investigation into the historical use of this epilepsy drug and its devastating effects on children exposed in the womb. This comprehensive inquiry, chaired by Barrister Bríd O’Flaherty BL, will examine decades of prescribing practices, regulatory oversight, and the adequacy of patient warnings regarding Sodium Valproate’s risks to unborn children.
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