These are the images of institutional abuse in Ireland.

This is Marykate she is 15 years old diagnosed non verbal Autism with a severe intellectual disability. Marykate is a daughter, a sister to two younger siblings Dylan and Abel Noah, and a friend to all that knows her.

Due to Marykate’s complex needs her family decided a part time residential placement would best meet Marykate’s needs so her family made the hard decision to seek a placement in a residential for children with severe disabilities a decision that they now utterly regret.

Marykate was both abused and neglected within her residential placement which was chosen by Tusla and the HSE and funded the cost of nearly €350,000 per year for a one-to-one care.

Marykate sustained over 3 inches of wounds on her head in a three week period marykate was allowed to walk around on a daily basis doing daily tasks with open wounds on her head for three weeks without having the surgery to close these wounds.

By the time Marykate was admitted to hospital, she had sustained several inches of wounds a huge haematoma to the left side of her head and a mild bleed to the brain.

When Marykate’s mother notified Tusla and the HSE of the neglect that took place she was met with solicitors and legal threats if she spoke publicly.

The family then decided to investigate this residential ourselves and we’re appalled to find legal proceedings brought against the governmental departments involved along with this residential dating back to 2014.

Many staff have come forward given evidence and statements of the severe neglect and restrictive practices that had taken place on a daily basis with Marykate and her peers.

Stories from Ex management and staff stating children were locked in safety harnesses for up to 5 hours a day while aimlessly being driven about with staff on a regular basis while in a restrictive car harness, food had locked away from the children, And children being left on supervised for hours at a time left to their own devices Beggars belief ect (please check out our Facebook page “Find Marykate” for all the evidence)

When Marykate’s mother presented this to the appropriate department Tusla tried on three separate occasions to remove custody from Marykate‘s parents all with the hopes of covering up the institutional abuse to have taken place under Tusla and the HSE watchful eye. When they were unsuccessful with gaining a full care order on Marykate, the HSE have done everything in the power to not support Marykate while at home with a family. Due to the severity of the trauma and experience Marykate went through with this residential placement Marykate is now 2 to 1 care on a daily basis which has lead to Marykate’s family having to spend the downpayment of our home on Marykate’s day-to-day care. HSE and Tusla Have told the family when the money runs out they are free to hand their daughter back into state care but refuse to help support Marykate on a daily basis at home while still paying this residential nearly €7000 per week. Many families have come forward with their stories from the same residential you can find old stories on our Facebook page.

we have attached some photos of how Marykate returned home to us and the last photo is how she is on a daily basis now that she is home with her family.

We are reaching out to everyone across the country and asking for your support with helping keep marykate cared for at home with staff in a place where we know she is safe and looked after and while she takes time to recover from her traumatic experiences that she will never forget but hopefully one day can move past.

Marykate’s care costs between €9000 and €11,000 per month depending on staff hours without your help, Marykate‘s family will have no other choice but to seek help from the very agencies that let Marykate and her peers down.

funds will be used to pay Marykates staff each month and recipients of payments will be up loaded each month