GARDA:THE COMMISSION says it is unacceptable that two gardaí who had concerns about Tony Walsh in 1990 and 1992 failed to pursue a thorough criminal investigation.
It says that when an investigation “of sorts” got under way in 1991, it was shelved because the church was carrying out its own penal process.
“The commission recognises that there was no specific complaint before the gardaí at that stage but there were at least three instances of concern.”
The report says the archdiocese should have informed gardaí of all its concerns at this time but did not do so.
Subsequent complaints to the Garda were handled appropriately.
Although the first complaint about Walsh was made in 1978, it wasn’t until 1991 that the Garda was first contacted by the mother of a young boy that he had approached.
Other complaints were made, but the Garda investigation ceased, even though they were aware of three incidents of suspicious behaviour.
However, further complaints were made to the Garda in 1994, some on foot of media articles about Walsh. Early in 1995, Walsh admitted to gardaí that he had indecently assaulted two boys in the 1980s and he was later charged with sexual offences in the District Court.
Later in 1995, the archdiocese contacted the Garda about other complaints and further charges followed.
