An independent inquiry into the deaths of a husband and wife and their two children in Monageer, Co Wexford, almost nine months ago, will finally begin next week.
The inquiry was announced by the then minister for children Brian Lenihan last April, following the deaths of Adrian and Ciara Dunne and their daughters, Leanne (5) and Shania (3).
They were found dead in their rented home on Monday, April 23rd, three days after having visited an undertaker in New Ross where they ordered four coffins, headstones and a burial plot, for themselves and their children.
The visit to the undertakers was brought to the attention of the Garda on Friday, April 20th and the HSE on Saturday, April 21st. But it appears nobody from outside their family circle other than a priest got in touch with them. Gardaí had sent the priest to assess the family's well-being.
When the bodies of the Dunne family were found, investigations were initiated by the HSE and the gardaí. An independent inquiry was also promised by the Government.
A spokeswoman for the office of the Minister for Children said yesterday the independent inquiry could not begin until the Garda investigation had been completed. This has now happened and the independent inquiry is due to begin on Monday. It will be chaired by barrister Kate Brosnan.
The team will have three months to complete its inquiry.