HSE officials who failed the intellectually disabled woman known as Grace are criminals and should be prosecuted, according to TD John McGuinness.
The woman was allegedly abused and allowed to remain with a foster family despite concerns about sexual abuse.
The Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow Kilkenny says HSE officials know more about the case than has come out so far.
"Politicians will be blamed for their wrongdoing, but there are individuals within the HSE that know what went on.
"They're criminals, they should be brought to court, they should be prosecuted, and we should not be afraid to chase them down."
In a harrowing address to the Dáil this afternoon, the TD catalogued the story of the woman, who had a box of belongings returned that contained a number of 'dirty' clothes, including underwear, that didn't belong to her after staying in a South-East home.
This is harrowing to watch. John McGuinness lays out the abuse and neglect of the girl known as “Grace” and the subsequent witch-hunt of the whistleblowers. pic.twitter.com/PLbhHZ6D4g
— aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) November 11, 2021
"The Taoiseach and the Minister should be down there, listening to what went on to Grace, and responding to it - not hiding behind legal advice.
"Someone abused Grace sexually, and others in that house. Somebody abused her financially, because they took the disability allowance, and paid nothing to her."
