The Kilkenny school sexual abuse case involving Martin O’Flaherty reveals the suffering of 29 boys, with recent court proceedings uncovering new victims after 40 years.
John McClean, a former teacher at Terenure College, has been convicted of further offences in the Terenure College abuse scandal involving multiple former students.
Two Irish families allege they were advised to terminate pregnancies after being misdiagnosed with fatal foetal abnormality — later discovering their babies were healthy.
Defective Blocks newsletter and latest updates.
Mother and Baby Homes redress newsletter and latest updates.
CAMHS newsletter and latest updates.
In an interview with Tabatha Monahan of the Irish Independent, the Minister for Children and Disabilities confirmed that the current system is letting children down.
Under the 2005 Disability Act, Assessments of Needs (AONs) should be carried out within 6 months of the referral to the HSE. However, as of the end of December 2024, 14221 AONs were overdue.
Minister Foley stated that she would prefer focusing on service delivery rather than completing paperwork. She stated that anything between 37 and 97 hours are required to complete the assessment. She stated, “The assessment can work its way off down the line, but if we cater to the need immediately, the child will be better served.”
However, it is difficult to understand how this can be achieved while still meeting statutory obligations.
The Minister states that the current difficulty in delivering therapy is primarily due to the lack of staff availability. She says that she has been engaging with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Higher Education about how people might be upskilled to work in physiotherapy or speech and language therapy.
If your child has been affected by delays in assessments of needs (AON), we understand how stressful and uncertain this can be. Our experienced team is committed to supporting families across Ireland in navigating these complex issues. We offer a confidential consultation to help you understand your options. Contact us today at 1800-844-104 to speak with a member of our team. More information.
John McClean, a former teacher at Terenure College, has been convicted of further offences in the Terenure College abuse scandal involving multiple former students.
Two Irish families allege they were advised to terminate pregnancies after being misdiagnosed with fatal foetal abnormality — later discovering their babies were healthy.
Former Irish Air Corps technician Gary Coll secured a €2 million settlement after suffering severe health issues from toxic chemical exposure at Casement Aerodrome. His case exposes safety failures, hazardous initiation rituals, and systemic negligence. With nine lawsuits pending and a Defence Forces tribunal underway, it raises urgent questions about accountability and long-term health risks in the Irish military.
Head of Client Services
F: 1800-844-104
E: info@colemanlegal.ie
”At Coleman Legal, excellence in customer care is paramount. We aim to meet both prospective and existing clients’ needs professionally and in a friendly manner with a clear objective of giving quality legal advice and reaching a positive outcome.”
