High Court upholds State care of child of woman with severe mental health issues
A woman with severe mental health issues failed in a High Court application on 13 July 2026 seeking the return of her primary school-aged son, who has been in State care since he was about a month old. Judge Brian Cregan found the boy was lawfully under the care of Tusla on foot of valid care orders made by the District and Circuit courts. The mother, who has not had access to her son since early 2019, was directed by the judge to apply to the District Court if she wants greater access. She had made allegations of fraud, mistaken identity, false impersonation, medical identity theft and kidnapping, and had refused fortnightly face-to-face appointments and telephone calls offered by Tusla.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- In court
- The woman failed in a High Court application seeking the return of her primary school-aged son.
- Judge Brian Cregan found the boy was lawfully under the care of Tusla on foot of valid care orders made by the District and Circuit courts.
- The child was taken into State care about a month after birth by order of the District Court.
- The judge directed the woman to apply to the District Court if she wants greater access to her son.
- Other details
- A consultant psychiatrist said the woman has a severe personality disorder with strong paranoid and persecutory ideas and did not think she would be fit to have responsibility for her baby.
- A second psychiatrist found the woman had a paranoid personality disorder.
- The mother has not had access to her son since early 2019.
- The mother was offered fortnightly face-to-face appointments and telephone calls by Tusla but refused them.
- The mother made allegations of fraud, mistaken identity, false impersonation, medical identity theft and kidnapping.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- courtThe woman failed in a High Court application seeking the return of her child. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan found the boy was lawfully under the care of Tusla on foot of valid care orders. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe child was taken into State care about a month after birth by order of the District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge directed the woman to apply to the District Court if she wants greater access to her son. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe psychiatrist did not think she would be fit to have responsibility for her baby. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA second psychiatrist found the woman had a paranoid personality disorder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe mother has not had access to her son since early 2019. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe mother was offered fortnightly face-to-face appointments and telephone calls but refused them. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe mother made allegations of fraud, mistaken identity, false impersonation, medical identity theft and kidnapping. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Jul2026Child of woman with severe mental health issues is lawfully in State care, High Court finds
High Court ruling upholding valid care orders and finding the child lawfully in Tusla's care; judge directed the mother to apply to the District Court if she wants greater access.
victim, femalevictim, male