Ex-judge to inquire into teenager's death

Former High Court President Mr Justice Frederick Morris is to carry out a case management review of the care and services provided to the teenage mother who was found dead in an alleyway in Dublin last week, the Dáil was told.

The Minister of State for Health, Ms Mary Hanafin, welcomed the announcement by the Eastern Regional Health Authority chief executive of the review, which would also look at all the circumstances leading to her death.

It is understood that the 18-year-old, whose two small children are now in foster care, may have died of a drugs overdose. Last year she had applied to the High Court for suitable care and accommodation for herself and her children.

The woman, who had special needs, had been living in a house provided by the Northern Area Health Board.

Ms Hanafin also said the Ombudsman for Children Bill is expected to go to Government next week and added that the Government "is committed to children and to improving children's rights".