JUSTICE Minister Dermot Ahern has agreed to give victims of clerical sexual abuse advance details of the Dublin Archdiocese report as helplines prepare for an avalanche of calls from survivors.The move comes amid calls for Cardinal Desmond Connell’s resignation ahead of damning findings into his 16-year reign as Archbishop of Dublin and his failure to address widespread sexual abuse by priests.
The long-awaited dossier of shame on the cover-up by the Church and 30 years of abuse scandals will be released later this week following recent approval by the High Court.
The inquiry is expected to reveal that not one of the four archbishops who presided over Dublin from the 1960s told gardaí of the widespread sexual abuse until 1995, reports suggest.
The Dublin Archdiocese Abuse Commission report will include harrowing details of sexual abuse. In one case, a priest admitted to using a crucifix to sexually abuse a young girl. Another admitted abusing children every two weeks for 25 years, while a priest told investigators he had abused over 100 children.
The inquiry also found an insurance company that indemnified the diocese against sex abuse had shredded large amounts of files.
The Irish Examiner understands the report will be up to nearly 800 pages long, in two volumes.
It was confirmed last night – after media leaks of the inquiry – that details of the 10-year-long investigation are expected to be given to victims by Department of Justice officials ahead of its release. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said it is of paramount importance that survivors and victims, and their families, get the support they need in this difficult time.
The report is set to conclude that the Church was more concerned with its reputation than the protection of children and their welfare. State authorities and the Gardaí will come under fire for not intervening earlier and challenging Church authorities.
Judge Yvonne Murphy’s commission confined its work to a sample of 320 complaints against 42 priests. It had been told of complaints or suspicions about 172 priests.
Abuse support groups expressed anger last night that the report was selectively leaked over the weekend.
One in Four said details had confirmed what victims had reported, including a failure by Gardaí adequately to investigate abuse claims. One in Four said it was already struggling with funds to meet survivors’ needs and was expecting services to be overwhelmed when the Dublin report is released.
Michael O’Brien of the Right to Peace group told Newstalk 106’s the Wide Angle that religious orders must be made face justice.
Christine Buckley, with the Aisling Centre support group, said Cardinal Connell must resign. "It’s appalling to have him as cardinal when he has a right to vote for bishops. The Pope should make him go."
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