THE independent inquiry
into the tragic deaths of a Burt woman and her
family in County Wexford last year has been delayed
for a further three months.
Ciara Dunne, 24, her two young daughters Leanne and
Shania and her husband Adrian, 29, were found dead
at their home in Monageer, County Wexford in April
2007. An independent inquiry, chaired by barrister
Kate Brosnan and including retired Assistant Garda
Commissioner Jim McHugh and Citizens Information
Board ceo Leonie Lunny, was launched at the
beginning of January this year.
The inquiry report was due to be completed and
forwarded to the Government this month. However, it
is understood that delays have occurred because of
the large number of people to be interviewed and the
complexity of their evidence. The inquiry team
sought and have now been granted an extension until
the end of June to conclude their report. It is
expected they will make recommendations in a number
of areas including out-of-hours childcare services.
The inquiry's terms of reference included:
- To examine the circumstances leading to and
surrounding the deaths of the Dunne family in
Monageer.
- To identify the services sought or required and
contacts made by or in respect of the Dunne family
from public and other relevant services.
- To examine the way in which public and other
relevant services responded to any requests and
contacts.
- To reach conclusions as to the circumstances
leading to the deaths of the Dunne family and to
make recommendations to the Minister for Health and
Children and to the Minister for Justice as to how
such an event may, as far as possible, be avoided in
the future. |