May 23, 2006

Christian Brothers reject claim of systematic abuse

IRELAND
One in Four

The Irish Times

It would not be fair comment to say there was a culture of excessive punishment and systematic abuse at Artane industrial school, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was told yesterday.

Brother Michael Reynolds, deputy provincial of the Christian Brothers, St Mary's (northern) province, said some Brothers there never used corporal punishment while others did regularly.

However, he said that "in the round, it was the same as the others [institutions]."

He said there had been six instances of Brothers who sexually abused boys at Artane, with "five prior to 1944". He rejected suggestions by counsel for some of the complainants, Marcus Dowling, that Artane was seen by Brothers posted there as "a dumping ground" or "punishment". Br Reynolds said "the vast majority of Brothers would not accept it" nor would he.

Posted by kshaw at May 23, 2006 09:38 PM