The Garda Commissioner welcomed the publication and issued an additional statement on the 27/11/09
The Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, today welcomed the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.
Acknowledging the painstaking detail provided in the report he said:
“This is an important chronicle of events within the Dublin Archdiocese over a forty year period. It makes for difficult and disturbing reading, detailing as it does many instances of sexual abuse and failure on the part of both Church and State authorities to protect victims.
The Commission has found that in some cases, because of acts or omissions, individuals who sought assistance did not always receive the level of response or protection which any citizen in trouble is entitled to expect from An Garda Síochána. I am deeply sorry that this occurred.”
Referring to the report’s finding that there were a number of inappropriate contacts and relationships between gardaí and the archdiocese, the Commissioner said:
“These contacts occurred at a time when a misguided or undue deference was often shown to religious institutions and figures by many in our society. Such deference can have no place in a criminal investigation.”
The Commissioner continued:
“The ugly reality is that there are still people in our society who seek to hurt and abuse children. Protecting vulnerable children must always be a priority for us in An Garda Síochána and we will continue to work together with the HSE and other agencies to ensure children’s safety.
We are also committed to ensuring that the confidence in and effectiveness of our investigation methods is such that abusers cannot draw a cloak of fear and mistrust around their crimes.”
The Commissioner noted the report’s acknowledgment of the ongoing expertise and work of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit at Harcourt Square. He said:
“The important work of this unit is now supplemented by a series of initiatives and measures designed to enhance our investigative ability and provide specialist officers countrywide with the skills required to deal with victims of sexual offences.
These initiatives are designed to bring An Garda Síochána into line with best international practice, and ensure that, through the specialist training of members, all complaints, including those of child sexual abuse, are capable of investigation at a regional level. I will ensure that the expertise of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit will continue to be available in all regions where required.”
The measures include, inter alia:
- the establishment of a Crime Training Faculty to train senior investigating officers, incident room managers and detectives;
- the training and appointment of specialist child interviewers throughout the country;
- the establishment and rollout of dedicated child interview suites in each region; and
- the development and implementation of a Youth and Children Strategy 2009-2011.
Stressing that the current Garda approach to child abuse cases is designed to deal sensitively with victims and apply the best investigative methods to secure a just outcome in the courts, the Garda Commissioner said:
“I want to appeal directly to victims and their families to contact gardaí and report abuse where it occurs. These are despicable crimes which we have the expertise and determination to investigate and I want to assure victims that when they ask for our help they will receive it.”
Any person wishing to provide information in relation to the report published or who want to report information about the commission of a criminal offence arising from the report can contact the dedicated telephone line established at the offices of Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2 at - 01- 6663066.
Alternatively people can write to the Offices of the Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2 - envelopes marked Dublin Archdiocese Report.
Garda Press Office
13.20hrs 26/11/09
Statement by Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy: Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin - Friday, 27 November 2009
The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has directed an examination of the findings of the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin on the handling of complaints and investigations by Church and State authorities.
Referring to the ongoing work of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, the Commissioner said:
“A substantial investigation was undertaken by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit in 2002. The Commission itself acknowledged that this investigation was an effective, coordinated and comprehensive inquiry. The investigation has resulted in the submission of a number of files to the Director of Public Prosecutions and following his direction, people have appeared before the courts charged with serious offences. Some of those cases are still ongoing. The Unit’s investigations focused in the main on individual complaints of child sexual abuse and this important work will continue.”
The Commissioner said that since receipt of the report it has been subject to scrutiny by senior officers. He continued:
“I am now asking Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney to examine the findings of the report relating to the handling of complaints and investigations by both Church and State authorities, to carry out such investigations and inquiries as he deems appropriate and to make a report to me with his recommendations. I will then consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions as to what issues arise in the context of criminal liability.”
The Garda Commissioner stressed again the commitment of An Garda Síochána to investigating allegations of child sexual abuse. He said:
“Garda investigations can never be influenced by the profession or background of a suspect and must concentrate on dealing sensitively with victims, applying the best investigative methods and placing a case before the courts to secure a just outcome."
The Commission has identified failings on the part of both Church and State authorities in their response to complaints of child sexual abuse. The focus of this examination will be to establish whether those failings amounted to criminal behaviour.
"I want to appeal again to individuals who experienced child sexual abuse or who have information about the commission of criminal offences in the context of the report to contact An Garda Síochána."
A dedicated telephone line has been set up to deal with complaints arising from the report. The number is 01 6663066.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney was recently appointed Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for the Western Region.
We would ask again for your assistance in publicising the dedicated telephone line which has been set up by Assistant Commissioner National Support Services.
Any person wishing to provide information in relation to the report published or who want to report information about the commission of a criminal offence arising from the report can contact gardaí on 01- 6663066.
Alternatively people can write to the Offices of the Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2 - envelopes marked Dublin Archdiocese Report.
Director of Communications
An Garda Síochána
27/11/09
