VICTIMS of Fr Ronat, the priest at the centre of the latest Cloyne report, have said that they have "little interest" in meeting Bishop John Magee and former child protection delegate, Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan — unless the media is present.
"Nothing shocked those men, Magee and O’Callaghan, nothing. Nothing outraged them. Nothing about the content of the abuse, nothing about what was inflicted upon us," said one victim, described as Donelle in the report.
"All that mattered to them was ensuring that the Church was protected.
"Why would we want to listen to more guff from them? We will only meet them if the media is allowed to attend the meeting. None of those priests made any effort to get justice for us."
Chapter nine of the Cloyne report, which was released on Monday, showed how 11 complaints of abuse were made to the diocese about Fr Ronat and eight complaints were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, including complaints where contemporaneous diaries were available, yet the priest has not been convicted.
Earlier yesterday, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dermot Clifford — who took responsibility for the diocese two years ago — said that under a new scheme, victims could meet his predecessor and former child protection delegate, Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan in the new year.
According to the archbishop, such a scheme was successful for victims in the US. He also confirmed that the canonical tribunal against Fr Ronat will recommence next year. It was paused at the request of victims while the Archdiocese Commission of Investigation was under way.
Victims support group, One in Four, said solicitors and barristers at the DPP’s office need to be trained in the effects of child sexual abuse and that it will be "prioritising the issue" in the new year.
Meanwhile, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) said the latest chapter of the Cloyne report again demonstrates the need for a Childrens’ Rights referendum so that individuals are held accountable for failure to report abuse.
National advocacy manager Mary Nicholson said: "We have to show that we have truly learnt from lessons of the past and people must be held accountable.
"Providing a legal framework through placing Children First on a statutory footing and ensuring that those who knowingly withhold information face prosecution... will be a significant step that Ireland is committed to enhancing the protection of children in Ireland."
The ISPCC said it is extremely concerned about findings which show a "veil of secrecy".
The report highlights an "ongoing failure to adequately deal with complaints of abuse, shockingly, some as recent as 2008, a failure to follow their own guidelines with regard to allegations of child abuse and a failure to report to the statutory services" said Ms Nicholson.
"Why would we want to listen to more guff from them? We will only meet them if the media is allowed to attend the meeting. None of those priests made any effort to get justice for us."
Chapter nine of the Cloyne report, which was released on Monday, showed how 11 complaints of abuse were made to the diocese about Fr Ronat and eight complaints were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, including complaints where contemporaneous diaries were available, yet the priest has not been convicted.
Earlier yesterday, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dermot Clifford — who took responsibility for the diocese two years ago — said that under a new scheme, victims could meet his predecessor and former child protection delegate, Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan in the new year.
According to the archbishop, such a scheme was successful for victims in the US. He also confirmed that the canonical tribunal against Fr Ronat will recommence next year. It was paused at the request of victims while the Archdiocese Commission of Investigation was under way.
Victims support group, One in Four, said solicitors and barristers at the DPP’s office need to be trained in the effects of child sexual abuse and that it will be "prioritising the issue" in the new year.
Meanwhile, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) said the latest chapter of the Cloyne report again demonstrates the need for a Childrens’ Rights referendum so that individuals are held accountable for failure to report abuse.
National advocacy manager Mary Nicholson said: "We have to show that we have truly learnt from lessons of the past and people must be held accountable.
"Providing a legal framework through placing Children First on a statutory footing and ensuring that those who knowingly withhold information face prosecution... will be a significant step that Ireland is committed to enhancing the protection of children in Ireland."
The ISPCC said it is extremely concerned about findings which show a "veil of secrecy".
The report highlights an "ongoing failure to adequately deal with complaints of abuse, shockingly, some as recent as 2008, a failure to follow their own guidelines with regard to allegations of child abuse and a failure to report to the statutory services" said Ms Nicholson.