Mary X is the mother of nine children, all of whom are in or have been through the care system. Mary X is intellectually handicapped. She cannot be named because some of those children remain minors and to identify her risks identifying them.

This programme makes extensive use of Freedom of Information material applied for by the woman at the centre of the story. This information sketches a partial life of Mary from the 1970s until today. It was made with the cooperation of her sisters.

Mary X is homeless, although, at the moment she is voluntarily staying in St Ita's, Portrane. She has lived most of her forty five years on the streets. Her sisters have spent a considerable amount of time attempting to find suitable accommodation for her. They believe she needs one-on-one care and a stable environment but instead Mary has fallen through the cracks in the system.

Despite the emphasis the Constitution places on the family at no time have this woman's children been dealt with in a holistic manner. Many of her children share, to varying degrees, her handicap. They have been placed in institutions or fostered, for the most part unaware of the existence of their brother's and sisters. Some of the children have disappeared completely, others files are missing. Meanwhile, their mother's life on the streets came crashing down around her in the summer of last year.
This is a programme that takes the horror story that is one 'family' and questions, if after all the scandals involving the religious and the care of children, the state is doing any better?

Produced and presented by Peter Woods
(First broadcast 18th April 2007)