Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

The Farrelly commission examined the issues around the Grace case. The way the State treated Grace was utterly shameful and represents, perhaps, one of the greatest scandals of modern Ireland. Is the Taoiseach aware of the Alice report, which deals with a case bearing a striking resemblance to the Grace case? The primary difference is that Alice can speak while Grace is non-verbal. Alice was removed from her home eventually, after allegations of sexual abuse. She was placed in a foster home, where there was further physical and sexual abuse. That abuse was reported repeatedly to social workers and to the Garda but no investigation was undertaken for years. A total of 16 children were then fostered by the same family. It is a harrowing case.

I have the Alice report in my hand only because Alice gave it to me. I assume the Farrelly commission is focused just on the Grace case. The real question is how many cases like it are there? Will the Taoiseach establish a commission to examine the State's response to all historic allegations of abuse of children in State foster care? Will he apologise to Alice and meet with her?

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