Tusla apology for 'victim blaming' 10-year-old

Boss sorry for statement after alleged sex assault

- GRAINNE NI AODHA

THE chief executive of Tusla has apologised for the wording of a statement issued after the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl.

Kate Duggan said she understands the concerns of the wider public after “significant” incidents involving young people who had received State care, but emphasised most children in care are “thriving”.

She said several children in care go missing a day, either from school or while on a trip.

Criticisms have been made of Ireland's child and family agency, Tusla, after recent incidents involving children.

A young boy, Daniel Aruebose, was reported missing from Dublin after Irish authorities discovered in August he had not been seen for several years.

The agency had previously engaged with the family of the boy, who would be aged seven this year.

His case prompted a series of “well-being checks” carried out on thousands of Tusla cases that were closed during the pandemic, from March 1 2020 and February 28 2022, and a rapid review of the boy’s case.

It came a year after Kyran Durnin, who would be nine years old this year if still alive, was reported missing from Co Louth.

In October, Ukrainian teenager Vadym Davydenko died and two others were taken to hospital following an incident at Tusla emergency accommodation in Dublin.