This article is from page 4 of the 2013-06-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
ORDERS from Clare courts that will see the Health Services Executive (HSE) notified of offences committed by parents described as “serial offenders” have been welcomed by one the country’s largest child protection services.
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) described the transmission of such information to health authorities as “absolutely vital” to the protection of children.
The society was commenting following directions issued by Judge Patrick Durcan in respect of two sep- arate cases at Ennis District Court last week.
Judge Durcan ordered that the Courts Services notify the HSE of the convictions recorded against a mother of two for public intoxication and a father of three sentenced to six months in prison for having heroin for sale or supply at the family home in Ennis last year.
Judge Durcan further ordered that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) furnish a list of all previous convictions to the HSE.
The man and the woman, who are both in their twenties, have multiple previous convictions.
Judge Durcan said when court has knowledge that children are in the care and control of “serial offenders”, it has a duty to protect them.
In the case of the man convicted of having heroin for sale or supply, Judge Durcan added, “I’d like to get the HSE involved here as quickly as possible.”
Caroline O’Sullivan, Director of Services with the ISPCC, said the society “absolutely welcomes” the orders to notify the HSE.
Ms O’Sullivan said, “Often the only way the HSE can intervene in situations like this is when issues like this are highlighted to them. We would welcome it.”
She continued, “We would abso- lutely welcome it. If you have a situation where parents are taking drugs or are out drinking every day there is an obvious concern about who is looking after the children; who is feeding them; who is tucking them into bed. On a physical level, that is obviously a concern but then you also an impact on an emotional level also. It is absolutely vital that this type of information is passed on.”
Ms O’Sullivan said the orders fitted with the Children First guidelines the State’s official policy on the protection and welfare of children.
She said demand for the Society’s services in the Mid West is “increasing all the time.”