TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said there was a “failure” in the case of a girl who was in state care and was allegedly sexually assaulted in west Dublin, while opposition politicians have called for answers about how she could have gone missing. 

A 26-year-old man appeared in court today in relation to the alleged incident in Saggart. He cannot be named because of the nature of the case. 

The child and family agency Tusla confirmed that the girl had been volunteered to its care by her family in February. It said the child “absconded” while on a recreational trip with staff in the city centre, after which she was reported missing.

Tusla said she remained in contact with staff by phone but would not identify her location.

The State care provided to the girl is now to be reviewed, Minister for Children Norma Foley said.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Martin said the events were “extremely serious and very, very grave”.

The Taoiseach said he had to be careful because of the “live” court proceedings, but that “clearly, there has been failure here in terms of the state’s obligation to protect this child.”

He added: “I would acknowledge the concern, anger and worry of many people throughout the country at what (is) alleged to have transpired here.

“And the concerns are legitimate, and the concerns of people generally across the country and within the specific location are genuine, and I want to acknowledge that.

“We will put the full rigours of the state behind this case in all facets, in all respects.”

Foley said she directed the National Review Panel to “immediately” begin an investigation into the case.

“I do want to say that this is a very, very worrying case.I think it’s our human instinct really, to want to mind and to guard and protect a child,” she said at Government Buildings.”

Asked if she had faith in Tusla, she said: “I have no reason not, at this point.

“I do think in fairness to them, we need to look at the wider numbers that they deal with.”

She said that she had spoken to Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in relation to the case.

Sinn Féin reaction 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald asked Martin in the Dáil today: 

“How could a ten-year-old in the care of Tusla go missing on a supervised trip?”

She said there was “a disturbing pattern” of children in the care of the state and of Tusla “being failed catastrophically”. 

She referred to a number of recent cases involving the deaths of children who had been dealt with by state care services.

“It really begs the question – what on Earth is going on with Tusla? Why is this happening again and again?” she asked. 

Sinn Féin TDs Eoin Ó Broin and Mark Ward, whose Dublin Mid-West constituency includes the Saggart area, have written to the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and the Minister for Children Norma Foley seeking an “urgent” meeting to discuss the matter.

“Both Mark Ward and I are shocked and angered at yesterday’s very serious assault in Citywest, Saggart,” Ó Broin said. 

“Yesterday’s assault has caused widespread fear in the Saggart and surrounding areas.”  

With reporting from Press Association