The Health Service Executive (HSE) was warned more than a year ago that the life of a troubled 14-year-old Co Waterford girl - who died on Sunday as a result of solvent inhalation - was in serious danger unless residential care was found for her.
Michelle Bray (14), from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, died on Sunday evening after inhaling some of the contents of a deodorant can.
The teenager, according to social worker and Garda sources, had been involved in risk-taking and sometimes violent behaviour over the previous two to three years.
Following a deterioration in the girl's behaviour, a decision was made at a case conference in late 2004 to place her in residential care for her safety and for the safety of others, according to individuals familiar with the case.
However, the girl remained outside the residential care system and continued to come to the attention of gardaí and social workers, sources say.
When contacted by The Irish Times yesterday, a spokeswoman for the HSE said she was unable to comment on the case for reasons of confidentiality.
After being contacted by concerned social and youth workers frustrated at the lack of progress in the case, Fine Gael TD John Deasy wrote twice to the HSE and warned of the urgency of providing the teenager with proper care.
In a letter to the HSE's southern office dated November 25th, 2005, Mr Deasy said that he had been informed by someone close to the case, whose opinion he would respect, that unless residential care was made available for Michelle, the possibility that she might die or cause the death of others was "reasonably likely".
"I would ask that you investigate this as a matter of urgency as the person who informed me of this is someone that I would not take lightly," he wrote.
Mr Deasy, who said that he did not get a response to either letter, is now seeking an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the care and protection of the teenager.
Under the Children's Act, the HSE has a duty to protect the safety and welfare of children at risk. Social worker sources say that a voluntary care order was not possible and that they were not aware of any attempt by the HSE to secure a court order.
Again, the HSE declined to comment on this issue yesterday.
The 14-year-old died on Sunday evening, a short distance from her home in the Childers Estate in Dungarvan, despite efforts by onlookers and emergency services to revive her.
An ambulance was immediately called to the scene, but efforts to revive her failed and she was pronounced dead by a doctor.
She was buried yesterday in Dungarvan after her funeral Mass at St Mary's Church in the town.
