Government under Pressure to Widen Abuse Investigation, by Ralph Riegel and John Cooney, Irish Independent, January 7, 2009

Government under Pressure to Widen Abuse Investigation

By Ralph Riegel and John Cooney
Irish Independent
January 7, 2009

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/government-under-pressure-to-widen-abuse- investigation-1593850.html

THE Government will come under intense pressure today to instruct a State abuse probe to widen its investigation to include the sex abuse scandals in the diocese of Cloyne.

After a series of revelations of horrendous abuse by the clergy, the Commission of Inquiry into the Archdiocese of Dublin — headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy — was set up. It is expected to report by the end of this month.

Father Michael Mernagh is hugged by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on the altar of the Pro-Cathedral yesterday

That body could now be asked to scrutinise the handling of abuse allegations in Cloyne, where Bishop John Magee has come under increasing pressure to resign after a Catholic Church report found children had been left at risk of sex abuse.

At the first Cabinet meeting of 2009, ministers will authorise Children's Minister Barry Andrews to publish a Health Service Executive audit into child protection procedures operating in Cloyne and other Catholic dioceses.

Meanwhile, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin yesterday signalled his support for campaigners angry at Dr Magee's handling of sex abuse allegations.

In an extraordinary move, Dr Martin personally welcomed — and even hugged — a priest who had marched from Cork to the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin to protest against "inexcusable" failings in Dr Magee's child protection procedures.

Dr Martin described Augustinian priest Father Michael Mernagh as a man of "integrity and witness". He also said he was "very happy this audit is coming" but would not comment further until the HSE report was published. Last night, he told RTE's 'Prime Time': "Regular audits by independent people are the only way in which you can guarantee there is compliance."

Last night, a senior government source told the Irish Independent that the HSE report is not as hard-hitting as the Church's own National Board for the Safeguarding of Children (NBSC) study.

Supports

Other sources said the HSE report generally supports the findings of the Church body.

"It is a professional setting out of the facts," the source said. "But it will be up to the Cabinet whether to make the political decision or not of instructing the State Commission of Inquiry into the Archbishop of Dublin to probe the situation in Cloyne," one source said.

The NBSC found the diocese of Cloyne had left children at risk and, at one point, enacted a policy of providing gardai with the minimum of information in their inquiries.

The NBSC also questioned the competence of the Cork diocese's child protection personnel.

Dr Magee has faced mounting pressure over the past month to retire or resign, on the basis of the NBSC findings.

Last night, the head of the One in Four victims' support group, Maeve Lewis, said she felt the Government would be compelled to refer the Cloyne diocese to the commission.

Dr Magee has steadfastly refused to comment on his position in Cloyne where he has been Bishop for almost 22 years.

Dr Magee has apologised over his diocese's handling of the matter and then personally accepted full responsibility for what happened in a statement on Christmas Eve.

However, a senior government source said the HSE report, while critical, is not expected to significantly increase pressure on Dr Magee.

"The Church's own report is far more critical. This is mild, by comparison," the source said.

While the HSE report is critical in certain aspects, it is more cautious, in its both summary and recommendations, about what allegedly happened in Cloyne over the handling of abuse claims against two clerics.

Last night, the Children's Rights Alliance (CRA) said it felt Dr Magee's position was now untenable and demanded the full release of the HSE report.

"We need to see leadership and part of that leadership, for me, is that Bishop Magee needs to resign ... I don't see how he can stay in place," said chief executive Jillian van Turnhout.

The NBSC report focused on allegations against two clerics — Priest A, who was alleged to have sexually abused a young boy working as an altar server, and Father B, who was alleged to have abused two girls and two boys.