REACTION:STATE AUTHORITIES criticised in the Cloyne report insisted they have taken steps to ensure abuse allegations will be properly dealt with from now on.
The commission of investigation said it was “not convinced” the State’s child protection laws and guidelines are sufficiently strong. In addition, it was critical of a small number of gardaí for failing to adequately investigate three abuse claims.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan apologised to victims failed by the force and said systems are now in place to help ensure it never happens again.
“It is a matter of regret to me that people did not receive the appropriate attention and action from the Garda Síochána to which they were entitled. The policies and structures now in place are very much victim-focused and designed to ensure that no one has a similar experience today.”
He said he has tasked Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney with examining the findings of the report and to carry out any investigations or inquiries that are deemed appropriate. Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne has been assigned to see if any further action can be taken against the abusers referred to in the report.
He said anyone with information should contact a dedicated phoneline at Harcourt Square Garda station (01-6663612).
Under a policy adopted last year, a nominated Garda inspector in each division monitors the progress of all sexual crime investigations. A quarterly audit of these investigations must be conducted until all matters within those investigations have been finalised.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said a number of files relating to alleged clerical abusers have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, although charges have been pressed in only a few cases. Arising from the Murphy report, 12 files have been submitted to the DPP. In relation to the Ryan report, 13 files were sent to the DPP of which there was no prosecution in eight. The other five are under consideration.
