Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Detailed Garda review of report ‘may take months’

IT could be a number of months before two Garda reviews of the Cloyne report will be in a position to determine whether or not criminal investigations should be launched.

Garda sources said yesterday that detectives will first examine the 400-plus page report in detail.

They may also look to have informal meetings with the main people indicted in the report, including Bishop John Magee and his former right-hand man, Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan.

Any such meetings will be voluntary. Garda sources say there is very little prospect of either men, or anybody else, being arrested, at least not at such an early stage.

Garda sources said that two assistant commissioners — John O’Mahoney and Derek Byrne — have been asked by Commissioner Martin Callinan to examine the report of the Murphy Commission into the Cloyne Diocese.

It is only after conducting this examination will the assistant commissioners be able to inform the commissioner what sort of investigation, if any, should be carried out and how long it would be expected to take.

The two Garda probes are extensions of investigations set up after the first Murphy Commission into the Dublin Catholic Diocese.

The first probe is being led by Asst Comm O’Mahoney. He is tasked with examining the findings of the report relating to the handling of complaints and investigations by both Church and state.

He has submitted a number of files to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to Dublin.

The second examination is being conducted by Asst Comm Byrne. His job is to examine the report and determine whether or not any further action is required against abusers identified in the Cloyne report.

He has also submitted files to the DPP regarding abusers in the Dublin Diocese.

Asst Comm O’Mahoney’s team may attempt to make contact with Dr Magee, who is reportedly out of the country.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will this week examine the Cloyne report to see whether or not it should launch an investigation.

Meanwhile, reports, originally revealed in the Irish Examiner in October 2010, were published yesterday detailing how the DPP turned down a Garda recommendation that Dr Magee be charged with reckless endangerment for failing to inform gardaí of abuse complaints made against priests.

* Asst Comm Byrne can be contacted on 01-6663612