A week after the HSE “sincerely apologised” in the media for warning a Cork mother of an adult child with an intellectual disability of her “legal obligation” to financially support her daughter “indefinitely”, the mother herself says she has yet to receive any apology. The warning was contained in a letter signed by Angela O’Neill, head of Disability Services in the HSE South West. Last week a HSE spokesperson said Ms O’Neill “did not intend to cause any upset”. Accordingly, you are legally obliged to support your daughter and that includes the provision of accommodation,” they said. 'No legal basis'Gareth Noble, a solicitor who specialises in child protection cases with KOD Lyons, said there was “no legal basis whatsoever” for the claim that Anna had a legal or financial obligation toward her daughter.

Source: Irish Examiner February 24, 2026 17:56 UTC