Submissions on behalf of Grace ‘not included in Commission’s report’
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA
Submissions made on behalf of the woman known as Grace were not included in the commission of investigation’s final report into her care, her legal representatives have said.
The statement was issued in the public interest and in the interest of Grace herself, they said in a statement.
The Farrelly Commission was set up in 2017 to examine the case of a woman, given the pseudonym Grace, who has profound intellectual disabilities and has been in State care all her life.
It came after allegations of sexual abuse were raised against her foster father relating to another person who had lived with the family, and the length of time it took to remove Grace from the home thereafter.
The Commission published its report earlier this month, which found Grace had been neglected and a lack of oversight in her care, but said it was not satisfied the evidence established she had been subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Politicians and child protection experts expressed shock that the 2,000-page report, which took eight years and is expected to cost up to €20 million, did not come to more concrete conclusions.
Two whistleblowers in the Grace case have also criticised the report, stating that it would deter others from speaking out and was a “complete waste of time”.
Minister for Children and Equality Norma Foley said she had asked the chairwoman of the investigation, Marjorie Farrelly SC, to write an executive summary but was told she was not in a position to do so.
In an unprecedented move, the general solicitor for minors and wards of court, which is responsible for Grace’s personal and legal affairs, issued a statement to say that submissions made on behalf of Grace were not “included nor referred to in any way in the report”.
“The general solicitor for minors and wards of court is the High Court appointed Committee for Grace,” the statement issued from the courts service said.
“As Committee, the general solicitor is responsible for the legal, personal and financial affairs of Grace, acting under the direction of the President of the High Court.
“She wishes to release this short statement in relation to the recently published Commission of Investigation Report.
“The General Solicitor feels it is in the public interest and in the interest of Grace that it is confirmed that that Grace was represented at the Commission of Investigation by senior counsel, junior counsel and solicitor (during the various dates that were permitted by the Commission).
“Prior to the publication of the final report of the Farrelly Commission, the legal team appointed by the general solicitor made considered and extensive submissions to the Commission on behalf of Grace.
“It appears that these submissions have not been included nor referred to in any way in the report.
“The general solicitor cannot discuss or comment further on this or any other case due to the confidential nature of wardship.
“This statement on behalf of the general solicitor is being brought to the attention of the media as it is her belief that it is in the public interest to do so.”