REACTION: STATE AUTHORITIES criticised in the Cloyne
report insisted they have taken steps to ensure abuse allegations will
be properly dealt with from now on.
The commission of
investigation said it was “not convinced” the State’s child protection
laws and guidelines are sufficiently strong.
In addition, it was
critical of a small number of gardaí for failing to adequately
investigate three abuse claims.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan
apologised to victims failed by the force and said systems are now in
place to help ensure it never happens again.
“It is a matter of
regret to me that people did not receive the appropriate attention and
action from the Garda Síochána 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 said he
has tasked Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney with examining the
findings of the report and to carry out any investigations or inquiries
that are deemed appropriate.
Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne has been
assigned to see if any further action can be taken against the abusers
referred to in the report.
He said anyone with information should contact a dedicated phoneline at Harcourt Square Garda station (01-6663612).
Under
a policy adopted last year, a nominated Garda inspector in each
division monitors the progress of all sexual crime investigations.
A
quarterly audit of these investigations must be conducted until all
matters within those investigations have been finalised.
Minister
for Justice Alan Shatter said a number of files relating to alleged
clerical abusers have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions,
although charges have been pressed in only a few cases.
Arising from the
Murphy report, 12 files have been submitted to the DPP.
In relation to
the Ryan report, 13 files were sent to the DPP of which there was no
prosecution in eight.
The other five are under consideration.