Protecting children

Protecting children

THE TRAGIC death of 17-year-old David Foley while in the care of the State is a graphic example of how our dysfunctional child protection system is failing to protect some of the most vulnerable children in the community. David, whose story was told by social affairs correspondence Carl O'Brien in this newspaper over recent days, was placed in care at the age of 14 following problems in his family home. Social workers remember an innocent youngster with no real involvement in crime or drugs. His needs were relatively simple: some intensive family support to address problems at home, a care placement in his community in west Dublin or, at least, a negotiated return home.