M. Re

����������� The applicants are SM and RM with whom the girls J and A have resided since 9 February 1987, that is, almost from birth.� The girls regard Mr & Mrs M as their parents and they in turn look on them as their children.� There is no doubt about the love which Mr and Mrs M have for the girls, which is reciprocated, nor about the care they have been given in the M household over 14 years.

����������� The application to adopt was filed in the High Court on 11 October 2000.� The application is supported by the Trust and the reporting officer but not recommended by the Guardian Ad Litem.

����������� J and A have an older brother D who was born on 3 November 1983 and is now aged 17 years and 8 months.� On 25 May 1986 when he was 2� years of age he was placed with the applicants and remained with them until 3 July 1998 when he went to live in Bawnmore Residential Home.� He has mild learning difficulties.

����������� In addition to providing foster care to the three children J, A and D, the applicants have provided foster care for many other children, believed to be around 40 in number.� It had been the intention of the applicants to adopt D as well.� However the relationship between D and Mrs M broke down as a result of which he left the placement in 1998.

����������� It is clear that this was a difficult recommendation and decision for all concerned.� It was made more difficult by the lack of clarity about whether anything, and if so what, had happened to D.� One interesting comment emerged � that by contrast with Mr and Mrs M, D had to some extent put the matter behind him and wished the Mr and Mrs M to know about his improved record of achievement.