Ideal Care Services, a major facility offering care for children, has been identified as putting vulnerable youths in danger due to insufficient background scrutiny of their staff. This company, led by Jossy Akwuobi (45) of Tyrrelstown, Dublin, and his associate, Karen Akwuobi (39), has received €9 million from child protection organisation, Tusla.
The lack of appropriate staff vetting and training became apparent when Tusla stopped accepting mere ‘pledges’ from the service providers catering to at-risk children, and instituted a complex audit process.
A report by Tusla from last July revealed that files from the police verifying staff to work with the company had been modified, and checks on workers prior to their employment had been forged. The inquiry concluded that the level of scrutiny applied to potential care providers was grossly inadequate to protect vulnerable youths.
The news was revealed by Irish Times journalist Jack Power. Bernice Harrison presented the findings, which were produced by Suzanne Brennan. Included in the reporting was further inquiry into Jossy Akwuobi’s background as an evangelical pastor. The lack of supervision in such a severe scenario raises significant questions. Additionally, Irish actor Cillian Murphy was honoured with the best actor award at the 2024 Oscars and proudly accepted as an Irishman.