Unanswered Audit Questions, Irish Times, January 8, 2009

Unanswered Audit Questions

Irish Times
January 8, 2009

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0108/1230936761560.html

The section not filled out by the bishops

5.1 Please provide, from your records, the number of complaints or allegations against individuals of child sexual abuse made to the Diocese and which have been brought to the attention of the civil authorities, that is, Health Boards/Health Service Executive and/or An Garda Síochána (*). (please note that this question only requires a numeric answer e.g. Allegations against A = 2, allegations against B = 3, allegations against C = 1)

A copy of the HSE audit of Catholic dioceses in the hands of the Minister for Children, Barry Andrews.
Photo by Eric Luke

5.2 Have all complaints or allegations of child sexual abuse made to the Diocese been brought to the attention of the HSE and An Garda Síochána (*)?

Yes No

If no why not and who made the determination?

5.3 Can you confirm, from your records, the following:

(a) The number of Religious from the Diocese convicted for Child Sexual Abuse.

(b) The number of Religious from the Diocese currently under investigation by the civil authorities for child sexual abuse.

(c) The number of allegations of child sexual abuse against Religious from your Diocese investigated.

(d) The number of child sexual abuse allegations made against Religious from the Diocese which were not deemed reportable to the civil authorities, and the reason why they were not deemed reportable.

(e) The number of child sexual abuse allegations made against Religious from the Diocese for whom the allegation(s) have been deemed unfounded by the civil authorities?

(f) By whom were they deemed unfounded in each case?

(g) What monitoring arrangements if any are in place in respect of such Religious concerning (a) to (f) above?

(h) Are there any allegations that you are aware of which are not being investigated by the Garda and/or the HSE?

(i) In the event of an allegation of child abuse against a Religious proving to be unfounded, what steps are taken to restore that person's good name and reputation?

5.4 Please specify from your records, the following in respect of Religious who have taken up ministry/retired/resided within the Diocese and who originally came from outside the Diocese.

(a) The number of such Religious from the Diocese who have been convicted of child sexual abuse?

(b) The number of such Religious from the Diocese currently under investigation by the civil authorities for child sexual abuse?

(c) The number of child sexual abuse allegations made against these persons from the Diocese which were not deemed reportable to the civil authorities, and the reason why they were not deemed reportable in each case?

(d) The number of child sexual allegations against such Religious where the allegation(s) of child sexual abuse has been deemed unfounded by the civil authorities?

(e) By whom were they deemed unfounded in each case?

(f) Are there any allegations that you are aware of which are not being or have not been investigated by the Garda and/or the HSE?

5.5 Please provide the following information:

(a) The number of Religious who have left the Diocese and were the subject of allegations or suspicions or conviction of child sexual abuse?

(b) The number of such Religious who have been convicted for child sexual abuse?

(c) The number of such Religious currently under investigation for child sexual abuse?

(d) The number of allegations of child sexual abuse against such Religious from your Diocese investigated but no conviction ensued?

(e) The number of child sexual abuse allegations against such Religious where the allegation(s) of child sexual abuse has been deemed unfounded? In each case by whom were they deemed unfounded and who made the determination?

(f) What monitoring arrangements are in place for Religious who have been convicted of child sexual abuse?

(g) Are there any allegations that you are aware of which are not being (or have not been) investigated by the Garda and/or the HSE?

5.6 Are there any Religious from your Diocese who have stepped aside or are on administrative leave and are awaiting the outcome of an investigation into child sexual abuse? If yes, how many and what are their living arrangements and what procedures are in place to monitor their potential risk to children in the local community? If such procedures are in place who is monitoring them?

Yes No

(a) From your records, how many Religious from your Diocese, who were convicted for child sexual abuse or against whom there were allegations of child sexual abuse, have subsequently left the Diocese or have been laicised?

(b) In relation to (a) above, how many convicted? How many not convicted but with allegations made against them?

(c) Do you know where these individuals currently reside?

Yes No

(d) Are the HSE and/or An Garda Síochána (*) aware of these persons' circumstances?

Yes No

5.7 (a) Has the Diocese consulted with the HSE on treatment services the Diocese has used and currently uses for personnel when it is believed they have abused or are a risk to children?

Yes No

(b) Please state what treatment services the Diocese currently uses in this regard, including the name and location of such services?

5.8 What support and/or services has the Diocese offered/provided to victims of sexual abuse and their families including any therapies that have been arranged and/or paid for?