Aoife Hegarty

Groomed and abused by a trusted adult

As a damning report is published into decades of sexual abuse at St John Ambulance, RTÉ Investigates' Aoife Hegarty speaks with some of those affected and explores what the report has to say about how little protection they received.

investigations unit • 16 Mar 23

The independent investigation also concludes St John Ambulance does not have a finalised child protection policy

St John Ambulance - 'Unvetted adults can still access children'

A review into the handling of complaints of sexual abuse at St John Ambulance has found its garda vetting system is incomplete creating the potential for unvetted individuals to gain access to children, RTÉ Investigates has learned.

investigations unit • 16 Mar 23

Tracey Campbell Fitzpatrick died in St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny

Remote hearing leaves bereaved family disillusioned

The family of a young Mayo woman who died shortly after giving birth has voiced disappointment at having to learn via an online disciplinary hearing that a hospital consultant was found guilty of professional misconduct in her case.

investigations unit • 24 Feb 23

The investigation was commissioned by the executive management board of the hospital (file image)

CUH incineration of baby organs abroad 'misguided'

An investigation has found that the organs of 18 babies were sent from Cork University Hospital for incineration abroad alongside adult body parts without the consent or knowledge of their bereaved parents, because of a "misguided" decision and a deviation from local policy and national standards.

Ireland • 25 Nov 22

Families told RTÉ Investigates about being kept in the dark about their babies' organs

Bereaved parents call for organ retention legislation

Bereaved parents have called on the Government to urgently introduce legislation governing the practice of organ retention, more than 20 years after the scandal rocked Ireland's healthcare system.

investigations unit • 04 Nov 22

The HSE published the results of an audit into organ-retention practices earlier this year

HSE rehired doctor who faced organ-retention complaints

Some HSE hospitals have re-hired on a freelance basis a pathologist who was heavily criticized in an investigation into a previous organ retention scandal, RTÉ Investigates has learned.

investigations unit • 04 Nov 22

The parents who had to bury their babies twice

Two decades after Ireland's first organ-retention scandal, RTÉ Investigates reveals new failings in the country's post-mortem system.

investigations unit • 04 Nov 22

The Director for Public Prosecutions will not proceed with 25 new cases relating to retired surgeon Michael Shine

DPP will not prosecute 25 further Michael Shine cases

The Director for Public Prosecutions has decided not to proceed with 25 new child abuse cases relating to retired surgeon Michael Shine, RTÉ Investigates has learned.

investigations unit • 19 Aug 22

Orthodontics is a specialist treatment that corrects irregularities in the teeth and jaws

Dental patients left stranded without orthodontic treatment

Hundreds of dental patients have been left stranded without critical orthodontic treatment after concerns were raised about a Galway based orthodontist.

investigations unit • 11 Aug 22

The national HSE audit followed an RTÉ Investigates report (stock image)

Taoiseach 'shocked' by organ incineration revelations

The Taoiseach has said questions need to be answered as to why hospitals in Ireland have continued until recently to use the practice of incineration for the disposal of organs, contrary to HSE guidelines.

Rte Investigations Unit • 13 Jul 22