Commissioner Receives Delayed Report Into Family's Death

The report of an independent inquiry into the deaths of a family of four in Wexford last year is finally in the hands of Gardaí following months of delays

The bodies of Adrian Dunne, his wife Ciara, and their two children, were found at their home in Monageer in April of last year, three days after the family visited an undertaker to arrange funerals.

The inquiry was launched after it emerged the authorities had been aware of a risk to the safety of the children. The inquiry, which is closed to the public, is trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and the dealings of state services with the family and each other.

The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy announced on Tuesday he has received the Monageer Inquiry Report and has considered its findings. The Commissioner expressed his sympathy to the Dunne and O’Brien families and the local communities in Wexford and Donegal over the tragedy.

The report, chaired by barrister Kate Brosnan, was to be completed and forwarded to Minister for Children Brendan Smith and Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan this month last April, but has been the subject ongoing delays.

Commissiner Murphy said: "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 today's announcement, the Commissioner stated he accepted the findings of the report and was committed to ensuring 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 added.

(DW/JM)