Family of suspected abuse victim not informed of allegations

The family of a woman who spent time in a foster home in the south east say they should have been told about serious sexual abuse allegations there.

Two sisters of the woman, now in her mid-40s, say say she was “crying” and “terribly anxious” after her last stay at the home. They now fear she suffered abuse.

The woman, who was 12 when she first stayed there, had the intellectual ability of an 18 month-old and limited speech. She stayed for respite on three occasions in the 1980s, her sisters said.

They told RTÉ's Liveline programme they had no knowledge of abuse concerns until recent media reports and hope to speak to some of the 46 other families whose loved ones spent time in the home between 1983 and 2009.

Allegations of abuse came to light when another former resident, known as ‘Grace’ was removed in 2009. She had been in the home since 1989 and remained there for 20 years, despite the fact all new placements had ceased in 1995 due to the abuse allegations. It is not known why she was left there.

The home and the actions of a number of employees of the former South Eastern Health Board will be the subject of a Commission of Investigation to be established by the next Government.

Intense media coverage of the case since December has focussed on the HSE's response to Grace's case, which came under scrutiny at the Public Accounts Committee.

Last month the family of another former resident, a woman also intellectually disabled, told The Irish Times they believed their daughter had been so severely raped while in the home that her internal organs have been damaged.

The sisters of this third woman said on her last visit the ‘foster’ family rang her parents saying they “didn’t want her anymore” and to “come and get her”.

“They went and got her and found her at the end of the drive on her own, with her bag...She was very distressed. She was crying and later on became very anxious. We thought it was just because she had been parted form us. We didn’t realise what we know now.”

They said the Garda had contacted the family 18 months ago. “They took my statement and off they went. I questioned them why they were looking for this information now and they just said a complaint had been made, nothing to worry about. ..It was quite worrying,” said one sister.

The HSE had written to them on December 9th, “just to say there’s a Garda investigation and they’re very sorry”, she said.

“It is an awful shock just to hear this out of the blue. Your mind goes off and you get very upset. You’re thinking, ‘Was my sister in the same situation?’ We should have been informed, should have been warned.”

The sisters said they would like to talk to other families who had family in the home who may be feeling isolated and in need of support. “If they want to get in contact [WE ARE ]just stronger in numbers.”

The family can be reached through RTÉ's Liveline programme.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said all families affected had been invited to make contact if they wished to discuss any aspect of their dealings with the foster family, or if they or their family members required further support.

“A number of families have made contact to date and this offer of support remains available. Families requiring support should not hesitate to contact the Chief Officer in this regard.”