27-05-2025
Sister of murdered Daniel McAnaspie issues plea
The sister of a 17-year-old who was murdered while in state care has called on TUSLA to 'wake up' as she claimed that nothing had changed in 15 years.
Daniel McAnaspie went through 20 different care placements in the 15 months prior to his death.
The Finglas native and his five siblings entered state care alongside their mother following the death of their father on Christmas Day 1996. Daniel McAnaspie.
After entering care, the mother turned to alcohol and was removed from the care home, leading to the children to act out and be separated by the HSE, who were responsible for child protection at the time.
Speaking to Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1 on Monday, Daniel's sister Cathriona detailed how he never learned to read or write due to undiagnosed dyslexia.
Cathriona told of how her brother was 'looking for somewhere safe' and though he had family, he always felt like he was a burden. Cathriona McAnaspie with Oliver Callan. Pic: RTÉ
Daniel went missing in February 2010, with his family searching for him day and night.
'We were never going to give up,' Cathriona told Oliver.
Three months after his disappearance, Daniel's body was found decomposed 30 kilometres away from Tolka Valley Park. He had been stabbed to death.
Richard Dekker was sentenced to life for Daniel's murder while another man, Trevor Noone, was sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter. Daniel McAnaspie.
'I always knew he was in danger hanging around town,' Cathriona said. 'There was always danger for Daniel but it was still a shock for us that he was murdered.'
An inquest into Daniel's death took place last month, with the Meath County coroner's court returning a verdict of unlawful killing.
Speaking about the inquest, Cathriona detailed her 'shock' at hearing things she hadn't been aware of before, such as the doctor's report as well as her brother's suicide attempt.
'Daniel was murdered in 2010, we're now in 2025 and there's still kids waiting for beds,' she said, 'It was the HSE when that happened to Daniel; TUSLA took over and nothing has changed in all those years.
'I really, really hope TUSLA wake up and help these young kids because it won't be long before someone else ends up dead and I really don't want another family to have to go through this again because the heartache we've went through for 15 years, I just couldn't imagine another family go through it.'
Cathriona concluded by revealing her family never received an apology from the state.
'15 years but they probably thought we were going away, we're not going away,' she insisted, 'We're still fighting for Daniel's voice and we will continue.'
