HSE pledges to review CAMHS cases in North Kerry going back to 2014 as the long-awaited Halpin Report is published

Coleman Legal LLP
February 20, 2026

The HSE has published the North Kerry CAMHS Lookback Review, also known as the Halpin Report, revealing serious concerns in 374 patient files, including over-medication and poor clinical oversight. The review has now been extended to examine historic cases dating back to 2014.

Today (February 19, 2026), the HSE officially published the long-awaited North Kerry CAMHS Lookback Review (also known as the Halpin Report). Read the full report here: Link

While the report itself covers files from 2022, the HSE also announced today that it will extend the review to historic cases dating back to 2014.

This expansion aims to address concerns from families whose children were treated by the service in the years leading up to the current scandal.

1. Key findings of the Lookback Report

The report published today examined 374 files of children and young people who were in the care of North Kerry CAMHS as of November 2022. The results are stark:

Risk of Harm: 209 children (56%) were identified as being at risk of potential harm due to their treatment.
Care Deficits: The review found a “disproportionately high rate” of psychotropic medication prescriptions with a lack of “talking therapies” or psychological interventions.
Poor Monitoring: There were significant failures in monitoring the physical health of children on potent medications and a lack of documented informed consent in 68% of files.
Governance: The report described a “wild west” environment with no clinical oversight or accountability.

2. The new historic review (2014 onwards)

Recognising that the issues were likely systemic and not limited to the 2022 snapshot, the HSE confirmed today it will now look back further:

Scope: The review will include files of patients treated in North Kerry from 2014 to 2022.
Purpose: To identify if children treated during this earlier period were also subjected to over-medication, misdiagnosis, or lack of proper clinical monitoring.
Trigger: This follows intense pressure from local families and advocacy groups who pointed out that the doctors involved in the previous South Kerry (Maskey Report) scandal also worked in North Kerry during this timeframe.

3. Redress and support

One of the most contentious points of today’s announcement is the lack of a dedicated compensation scheme for North Kerry families.

Unlike South Kerry victims, a formal redress scheme for North Kerry has not yet been opened, though the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, stated that “due diligence” is being followed.

February 18, 2026

Halpin Report into North Kerry CAMHS released

The Halpin Report, published in February 2026, examines the care of 374 children in North Kerry CAMHS, identifying risks of harm, over-prescribing, governance failures and a series of clinical and operational reforms.

February 13, 2026

Temple Street Spinal Surgery Review: What Families Need to Know About the Clinical Recall

The Temple Street spinal surgery review has led to 62 children being recalled for clinical reassessment following concerns about orthopaedic surgical outcomes. This guide explains what the review involves, what families can expect from the HSE process, and the legal considerations parents should be aware of if they have concerns about their child’s treatment.

January 23, 2026

T.D. Pa Dalys call for urgent assistance in essential Mental Health services in Kerry, and publication of the Halpin report, with any further delay

Pa Daly TD has renewed calls for urgent investment in mental health services in Kerry, highlighting dangerous assessment delays for young people in crisis and the continued non-publication of the Halpin report into North Kerry CAMHS, which remains outstanding despite confirmation that it was completed in 2025.

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