Latest news with #DanielMcAnaspie
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Irish Times
‘He couldn't see wrong in people': Family of Daniel McAnaspie seek reform following inquest
A sister of teenager Daniel McAnaspie , who was murdered 15 years ago when in the care of the State, says the family still has 'so many questions' as to how and why child protection services failed him so badly. Nikita McAnaspie, speaking a fortnight after an inquest into Daniel's death marked the end of a 15-year legal process, said they had lost 'so much more' than a beloved brother, nephew, cousin and uncle. 'This has taken so much joy, so much fulfilment out of our lives. I have two young kids now and I genuinely feel in the last 15 years, instead of trying to fill my life, I have been just trying to survive every day. 'The trauma has taken so much away from my motherhood.' READ MORE Nikita was 19 when Daniel (17) was murdered in February 2010. Meath county coroner's court, which returned a verdict of unlawful killing, heard Daniel had 'pleaded' with social workers to have him 'locked up' in the months before his death, as his life spiralled into increasing chaos. He had had 20 care placements in the year before he died, including one he could access only after midnight, was self-harming and engaging with people involved in criminality. From mid-2009 social workers made at least three applications to the HSE's special care committee for secure care, whereby he would be detained by the High Court and provided with intensive therapeutic interventions. All applications were refused, due to staff shortages. Coroner Nathaniel Lacy heard the crisis in secure care was 'worse' today than in 2010, with just 14 of the 26 secure-care beds open due to staff shortages. [ Daniel McAnaspie case: Crisis for at-risk children is worse than when teen was murdered in 2010, inquest hears Opens in new window ] Daniel, from Finglas in north Dublin, had been with friends when lured to Tolka Valley Park by two older men, Richard Dekker and Trevor Noone, in the early hours of February 26th, 2010, and was stabbed to death with garden shears. His body was found three months later in a drain on farmland in Co Meath. Dekker was convicted of his murder in 2017 after an earlier acquittal, and Noone of manslaughter. Dekker's trial heard that Daniel was with friends socialising in Blanchardstown when they met Dekker and Noone. There was a row with Dekker which appeared to be resolved. Daniel's friends tried to persuade him to leave with them around 4am but he insisted on staying out, following Dekker and Noone to the park. Describing her brother as 'gentle with a smile so big and so bright' Nikita says: 'Daniel would not have seen any wrong in [the two men]. He couldn't see wrong in people and I'd say he genuinely thought they wanted to be his friends.' Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, says professionals who worked with Daniel described him as 'lovable, charismatic and affectionate, keen to be liked and anxious to fit in'. She has written to the incoming Oireachtas Committee on Children urging it to 'put a special focus on Daniel's case' as it draws up its programme of work. Daniel was 'a young boy failed by the State at almost every juncture', she says. The fourth of six children, Daniel was known to care services from birth. His father died on Christmas Day when he was four. His mother, who was dependent on alcohol and prescription tablets, struggled to cope. The family was housed in supervised accommodation to support her. She was unable to overcome her dependence on alcohol and tablets and the children were removed into care when Daniel was 10. They continued to have supervised access with her. She died of alcohol-related issues when Daniel was 14. Daniel McAnaspie Nikita remembers the hope the siblings, but particularly Daniel, had of being reunited with their mother one day. She recalls being at her hospital bedside when she died. 'In that moment Daniel knew he wasn't going home. That hope died that day and I think that pain inside him destroyed him more than anybody really knew. That's when his trauma really, really started. That's when he really needed help. 'How could the social workers not realise how much he needed help?' she asks. Extended family tried to care for him but were unable to meet his needs. Nikita is critical of the lack of supports they got in his increasing turmoil. Their aunt Sabrina 'tried to make it work for Dano' but 'she couldn't hold him. He was out of control. Why did the HSE not help her more?' Nikita is critical of the failure to ensure he had schooling, and to spot he had dyslexia. It was not diagnosed until he was 15. 'He was so embarrassed he couldn't read and write. That really affected him. He wanted to learn but missed so much school. If your kid missed 21 days of school you're in trouble. Why was that okay for Daniel?' The family stresses his murder had nothing to do with an alleged drug debt referenced at his inquest. There was no indication at Dekker's and Noone's trials of Daniel owing them money. 'He genuinely just met these two evil people, and trusted them,' says Nikita. The greatest failing, she says, was the lack of secure care he needed by mid-2009. 'If the HSE listened to Daniel, to his family, to all his [social] workers, who all said he needed [secure care], he wouldn't have been there that night [he was killed]. We would have Daniel here today,' says Nikita. 'Sometimes I close my eyes and I imagine him here. He was so fair. He would light up a room. I can imagine him having a little boy like him.' The long legal process exacerbated the trauma, she says, adding that the family want no child to experience the failings Daniel did. 'Tusla need to open their eyes wide to what kids need.' Daniel McAnaspie's sister Cathriona McAnaspie and aunt Sabrina McAnaspie outside Trim Courthouse on May 15th following the inquest into Daniel's death. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times Last week High Court judge John Jordan heard cases of three children in respect of whom secure care orders had been made but could not get a bed due to staff shortages. They included a 15-year-old boy with a neurodevelopmental disorder who was 'free-falling'. His father believed that, without secure care, the boy 'will die'. Legal representatives for Tusla said it hoped to increase 'our special care capacity to 16 beds by the end of May 2025'. A spokeswoman said: 'We again offer our deepest condolences to those who were closest to [Daniel]. We will now review the outcome of the coroner's inquest, and work with all stakeholders to implement any changes recommended to further strengthen and improve our services'.
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Irish Times
Failure to provide secure care beds for children at risk an ‘affront to the rule of law'
The ongoing failure of Tusla , the Child and Family Agency, to provide secure care beds to the most at risk, vulnerable children is an 'affront to the rule of law', a High Court judge has said. Judge John Jordan, presiding over the weekly 'no beds' list on Thursday, heard updates on three children in respect of whom secure care orders have been made but who cannot get a bed due to staff shortages. The hearing comes a week after an inquest jury, which found Daniel McAnaspie (17) died by unlawful killing while in the care of the State, recommended increased funding for Tusla to ensure timely access to secure care for the most at risk young people. Meath coroner's court heard the boy, who was murdered in Blanchardstown in February 2010 and his decomposed body found in Co Meath three months later, had 'begged' to be taken into secure care in the months before his death. READ MORE Three applications by social workers for secure care were refused by a HSE special care committee due to lack of beds. A child or young person who is deemed to be at such a risk to themselves, or others, as to need therapeutic residential care may be detained in secure care by the High Court. On Thursday Judge Jordan heard a 15-year-old boy with a neuro-developmental disorder was 'free-falling'. His father believed without secure care the boy 'will die', the court heard. The boy is misusing alcohol and drugs, was found in possession of detergent tablets 'for no reason', is engaging with a family with criminal links, has been assaulted and needs dental care for knocked-out teeth. He faces 90 criminal charges. A 16-year-old girl who is self-harming and has attempted suicide, has been 'drawn into a life of criminality, drug dealing ... dealing in crack cocaine as a result of being ... exploited by a criminal gang', the judge said. She is at physical risk due to travelling in stolen cars and has been 'subjected to sexual exploitation'. Supports put in place for a 17-year-old girl for whom a secure bed order was made in November, were 'not keeping [her] safe'. Recently sexually abused by a person known to pose a risk to children, she was 'very, very reluctant' to be interviewed by gardaí, saying she 'had arranged for a vigilante beating to be delivered to the person she identified as the perpetrator instead', the court heard. She turns 18 next month, becoming ineligible for secure care. 'This is unsatisfactory,' the judge said. 'This child should have been in special care if the Child and Family Agency complied with the order they applied for ... That is an appalling situation and it is very difficult to argue [the girl] has not suffered as a result.' The judge said he was 'tired of the excuses and the platitudes' from the agency. 'Children are suffering and it is known they are suffering,' he said. 'Nobody, no judge should have to sit and listen to anyone, not least the State or an embodiment of the State, attempting to excuse noncompliance with a court order which they applied for and obtained.' The court heard the number of secure care beds had fallen in recent weeks, from 15 to 14. There are 26 such beds but 12 remain closed due to staff shortages. The situation had 'gone backwards', said the judge. 'This system in crisis, this dysfunctional system is getting worse ... It is an indictment of the State that those special care beds are not available.' Legal representatives for Tusla, present in court, did not object to his comments.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Report 'provides roadmap' for overhaul of special care system
The review of the special care system published by Tusla will provide a roadmap to support children like Daniel McAnaspie, who was murdered while in State care 15 years ago. The external review commissioned by Tusla found that the special care system is in crisis, with a lack of spaces in the county's three special care centres, and an issue with staffing. The system was established to provide secure therapeutic intervention for children who are subject to High Court orders. Among the recommendations was to align pay scales for staff with Oberstown detention centre, increase capacity in residential and foster care, and to develop a legal strategy for special care. It also recommended that further research be carried out into the area, including with children and care leavers. There are 14 children in the country's three special care settings but if fully staffed, the units could cater for 26 children. There are currently three children waiting on places in the system. Tusla chief executive Kate Duggan said there has been 'some progress in recent weeks' in staffing, adding: 'This will assist in increasing our Special Care capacity to 16 beds by the end of May 2025.' The report comes after the inquest last week into the 2010 death of Daniel McAnaspie, who was murdered while in care. The inquest jury recommended an urgent review of its approach to child protection and welfare. In welcoming the report published on Tuesday, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance Tanya Ward said: 'It has nearly been a week since the Daniel McAnaspie inquest. Daniel was refused access to special care and experienced a tumultuous journey through a litany of different placements, before he was murdered at the age of 17. Daniel's death could have been prevented if he got the right interventions and support that he needed. "Daniel had a very difficult childhood, having experienced poverty, neglect, profound loss and poor access to schooling. There are many more Daniels in our communities that need our help. This review provides a roadmap to provide that support.' She said the alliance is concerned that the review found that some children are in special care for up to two years, which is 'startling given that these young people are being deprived of their liberty and have not been convicted of any crime'.
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Tusla to review outcomes of inquest into Daniel McAnaspie's death
The State agency responsible for child protection and welfare Tusla has said that it will now review the outcomes of the inquest into the death of Daniel McAnaspie. It comes after the jury at the inquest into the death of the teenager, who was in the care of the State when he was murdered over 15 years ago, recommended the State carry out an urgent review of its approach to child protection and welfare. In a statement today, Tusla said that it would work with all stakeholders to implement any changes recommended to further strengthen and improve its services. The agency said it again offered its deepest condolences to those who were closest to Daniel McAnaspie. Tusla said that there are currently 14 young people in Special Care (0.2% of all young people in care), across three Special Care Units. In a statement it said that there are currently 4 young people who are the subject of a High Court Order and are awaiting a placement in Special Care. It said that for these young people, they are currently unable to fully meet their statutory obligations regarding Special Care, and they share the concern this causes for the High Court, for professionals involved in the care of these young people, and most importantly, for the young people themselves and their families. It said that while awaiting placement in Special Care, these young people are supported in alternative care settings. It said some progress in recent weeks will assist in increasing its Special Care capacity to 16 beds by the end of May 2025.
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Irish Times
Crisis for at-risk children worse now than it was when Daniel McAnaspie was murdered in 2010, inquest hears
The crisis in secure care for the most at-risk children has intensified since the murder of teenager Daniel McAnaspie, social workers involved in his care say. An inquest into the boy's death returned a verdict of unlawful killing on Thursday. It also heard that the needs of at-risk children are becoming more complex. High Court judge John Jordan recently described such children as 'frequently broken, traumatised, actively suicidal'. Just 14 of 26 secure-care beds are operational due to 'staff shortages', Meath Coroner's Court heard on Thursday. READ MORE A young person who is deemed to be at such risk to themselves, or others, as to need therapeutic residential care may be detained in secure care by order of the High Court. Daniel McAnaspie was 17 when he was murdered on February 26th, 2010. He had been known to care services since birth. The inquest heard that in the last 15 months of his life, Daniel had 20 care placements, including one he could not access until after midnight. His badly decomposed remains were found in a drainage ditch in Co Meath by a farmer in May 2010. In 2017, two men were convicted in connection with his death, one of murder and the other of manslaughter. There are currently four young people who are the subject of a High Court Order and are awaiting a placement in special care — Tusla Daniel's inquest heard he pleaded with social workers to 'lock him up' because he was terrified of drug dealers to whom he owed €2,000. Social workers made multiple applications to the HSE's special care committee for secure care as his life spiralled into chaos. Their applications were refused. Tusla said on Thursday: 'There are currently four young people who are the subject of a High Court Order and are awaiting a placement in special care. For these young people, we are currently unable to fully meet our statutory obligations regarding special care. 'We share the concern this causes for the High Court, for professionals involved in the care of these young people and most importantly, for the young people themselves and their families.' Mark Smith, Tusla's director of special care services, worked with Daniel in a high-support unit around 2006. He told the inquest he expected one secure-care bed to become free before the weekend. 'I would love to see a situation where we would have all 26 beds [fully staffed],' said Mr Smith. Asked whether improved pay in secure-care work would help, he said: 'The pay is always a challenge... If the pay was significantly better I am sure we would have better retention rates.' He said children were presenting who are in need of detention for their own safety. These cases are 'increasingly complex', said Mr Smith, pointing to the need for 'greater resources' and 'a greater level of care'. Pól Ó Murchu, solicitor for Daniel's guardian ad litem, said: 'The evidence is that this situation at the moment is worse than what it was at the time of Daniel's death'. My brother would be still alive today if they had done their job right — Cathriona McAnaspie Avril Connolly, Daniel's social worker at the time of his death, told the inquest her work with him involved 'considerable firefighting and emergency responding to crisis events'. No longer working in the same area of child protection, she told the inquest: 'I thank God that I don't have to work with children that require secure care currently'. The six-person jury made 13 recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for the most at-risk children in care, including that the State carries out 'a review of its funding to child protection and welfare services delivered by Tusla to ensure that the agency has sufficient resourcing to keep children safe'. Cathriona McAnaspie, Daniel's older sister, said the family thought of him every day. She said: 'He was loving. He was our brother, nephew. He was one of our babies. The HSE has a lot to answer. My brother would be still alive today if they had done their job right. So yes, I am very angry with them and I hope no family will ever, ever have to go through this again, ever.'
