Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said the Cloyne Report detailed
“another difficult and sorry chapter" in the story of how both Church
and State authorities in Ireland responded to the sexual abuse of young
people.
While the report is largely complimentary about the role
played by gardaí, it does raise concerns about its approach in three
cases.
In one, an investigation was “clearly not commenced”.
In a
second case, a statement that was taken from a young man by a garda who
was due to retire was put in a drawer and forgotten about.
In a third
case, the evidence given to the commission by a garda differed from
statements he had made to prior Garda investigations.
Mr Callinan
apologised to the victims saying it was a matter of regret to him that
people did not receive the appropriate attention and action from the
Garda 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 stressed the importance of reporting sexual crime to the gardaí.
"I
want to assure the community that we have invested much time, energy
and resources into ensuring that both our policies and people are
effective in this sensitive and challenging area. Anyone making a
complaint to gardaí will be met with sensitivity and with
professionalism,” he said.
Mr Callinan has asked Assistant
Commissioner Derek Byrne to examine the report to see whether, in
addition to action already taken, any further action can be taken
against the abusers referred to in it.
Anyone wishing to provide
information in relation to the report 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 in
Dublin on 01-6663612.