The following is the text of a statement issued by Minister for Children Barry Andrews today following the conviction of a woman in Co Roscommon on charges of incest and abuse and neglect of her children.
"I wish to express my absolute shock and abhorrence at the circumstances surrounding the case involving a mother found guilty of incest, sexual assault and child neglect heard by Roscommon Circuit Court today.
This afternoon I have been in contact with the HSE and I have been informed that a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case is already underway. I expect to receive this assessment within the next 24 to 48 hours and on the basis of that initial assessment I will decide future action. In particular, I have asked the HSE to provide a chronology of contact and interventions with the family since 1996. In addition, I have asked for a full account of the approach taken in pursuance of the childcare order and the legal issues surrounding the High Court injunction.
Under the Childcare Act 1991, one must protect the details relating to children arising from a case involving a care order. It terms of public debate, this constraint means that the circumstances surrounding the criminal trial are known but nothing can be revealed about HSE care orders.
Nevertheless, I will require information in order to make an assessment on the level of child protection practice applied in this case.
I understand that further criminal charges in respect of the family circumstances surrounding this case are pending and therefore sub judice."