The president of the High Court has strongly criticised a “vigilante” child protection group over a “sting” operation which has had “serious consequences” for a vulnerable intellectually disabled man. These people presumably did not know the man has an intellectual disability and is a ward of court who is brain-damaged, he said. Natalie McDonnell BL, for Patricia Hickey, general solicitor for wards of court, said it was clear from the video the man had been “at grave risk”. David Leahy BL, for the HSE, said the good news was the video was gone and the man appears to have stabilised somewhat. The judge said he would make orders preventing the man having any phone or internet access as it has proved so detrimental to him.

Source: Irish Examiner July 16, 2019 16:52 UTC