HEARTBROKEN PARENTS MADE NON-STOP EFFORTS TO GET HELP FOR KIM

TRAGIC teenager Kim O'Donovan was described as their treasure by her
heartbroken family yesterday.

Ronnie and Maura O'Donovan, 15 year old Kim's adoptive parents,
revealed their non stop efforts to get help for their beloved daughter
throughout her short and troubled life. The couple, from south Co.
Dublin, adopted Kim when she was 18 months old and she became a baby
sister to big brothers Andrew and Stephen. In a statement issued by
their solicitors they said: "Kim grew up in a normal loving, caring
family environment. She attended mainstream schools and participated
in all the usual children's activities." But sadly, they added: "Kim
was always disturbed." They said from an early age they had
consulted with Kim's teachers, with child counsellors, psychologists
and psychiatrists in relation to her problems.

But in 1997, as a result of professional advice they received, Kim was
placed in the care of the Eastern Health Board and was in residential
care in Newtown House in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow up to late
last month.

The said they were in contact with Kim and her carers at all stages
and were in court for a hearing on her case three days after she
absconded from care.

It was on that day they heard of a letter Kim had written to Mr
Justice Peter Kelly, pleading not to be sent back to Newtown House.
She was allowed go on work experience while at the high support unit,
but was unhappy about other aspects of her care there and said she
wanted a normal life. It was while away from the unit on work
experience on July 28 that she disappeared, and she appears to have
managed to evade all attempts by the gardai, health authorities and
her family to find her.

It is thought Kim's death on Thursday morning was due to a heart
attack brought on by an accidental drugs overdose.

She was in the company of another drug user, a 23 year old male, in a
guesthouse used mainly as emergency hostel accommodation at Talbot
Street in the city centre at the time.

State Pathologist Dr John Harbison completed a post mortem examination
on Thursday night, but said further toxicological tests were needed to
establish exactly what type and quantity of drugs Kim had taken.

Yesterday, as her parents were making funeral arrangements, they
appealed for privacy in their grief. "Kim was our treasure," they
said.

"She was loved by us, by her family and by her extended family and
friends. We would ask now to be left in peace to mourn her."