The circumstances surrounding this tragedy were highly exceptional and posed considerable challenges to the personnel of all the agencies charged with responding to it.
The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has received the Monageer Inquiry Report and has considered its findings. At the outset, the Commissioner again wishes to express his sympathy to the Dunne and O’Brien families and the local communities in Wexford and Donegal on the tragedy that befell the family at Monageer in April 2007.
The circumstances surrounding this tragedy were highly exceptional and posed considerable challenges to the personnel of all the agencies charged with responding to it.
In acknowledging the work of the inquiry team, Commissioner Murphy stated that ‘he accepts the findings of the published Monageer Inquiry Report and is committed to ensuring that the safety and protection of children is a key priority for An Garda Siochana’.
The ‘Children First’ guidelines, which are the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children, together with the relevant legislation, are being fully applied by An Garda Siochana. The Commissioner said ‘the findings of this report will be utilised to refine our practices and procedures to complement the ‘Children First’ guidelines, which provide the essential framework for the work of An Garda Siochana and the Health Service Executive in dealing with the sensitive area of child safety’.
Garda Press Office
12.5.2009 1600 hours
