PAEDOPHILE priests were allowed escape justice through the inaction and connivance of gardaí, the Murphy Report has found. While commending many gardaí, the Dublin Archdiocese Commission report reveals shocking failings by gardaí at all ranks, up to and including commissioner.
It is not yet clear if action can or will be taken against any gardaí. Senior officers named in the report have long left the force.
The report said "there were a number of inappropriate contacts" between the Garda and the archdiocese. Handing over a case involving Fr Edmondus to Archbishop John Charles McQuaid by Commissioner Daniel Costigan was "totally inappropriate".
It said the relationship between some senior gardaí and some priests and bishops was inappropriate, particularly in cases of Fr William Carney and Fr Blank*.
"A number of very senior members of the Gardaí, including the Commissioner in 1960, clearly regarded priests as being outside their remit," said the report. "There are some examples of gardaí actually reporting complaints to the Archdiocese instead of investigating them. It is fortunate that some junior members of the force did not take this view."
In the case of Fr Blank in the 1980s, the report found:
- Two gardaí failed to take notes when interviewing the priest.
- He made limited admissions to Chief Supt Joe McGovern, who did not convey them to investigating gardaí, but to his local priest, Fr Curley.
- Even though gardaí knew Fr Blank intended to go to the US, they did not seek a warrant for his arrest and failed to arrest him when he visited Ireland a number of times.
- Fr Curley gained "improper access" at a Garda station to a statement made by a boy against Fr Blank.
"The connivance by the Gardaí in effectively stifling one complaint and failing to investigate another, and in allowing Fr Blank to leave the country is shocking," said the report.
In the case of Fr Carney during the 1980s and 1990s, the report said Chief Supt Maurice O’Connor informed Bishop James Kavanagh of a Garda investigation into the priest.
Bishop Kavanagh was told by Chief Supt O’Connor it was unlikely charges would be brought. The bishop failed to interfere with the garda investigation because of the good work of lower ranking gardaí, naming Finbarr Garland.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said the inappropriate contacts "occurred at a time when a misguided or undue deference was often shown to religious institutions and figures".
*Name removed by commission
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