Roscommon Abuse Inquiry Has Minister's Full Confidence

The Dáil Children's Minister has said he has full confidence in the investigation that is taking place into the Co Roscommon neglect and abuse case.

Barry Andrews has defended the inquiry set up to investigate the case of six children who were sexually abused and neglected by their mother in Co Roscommon.

Last week, the 40-year-old woman was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to the incest, neglect and abuse of her children.

While the Government has set up an inquiry into the matter, Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter said the investigation could not be considered independent.

The politician was speaking in the Dáil last night, and slammed the fact that two of the four people on the team are members of the HSE.

However, Mr Andrews, remains confident in the inquiry and its full independence.

Earlier this month, the Health Minister, Mary Harney admitted that health service staff who worked with children at the centre of the incest case should have taken them into care "an awful lot sooner",

She was refering to a harrowing catalogue of neglect - including forcing her then 13-year-old son to have sex with her.

(BMcC/JM)