Ireland Online
November 26, 2009
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/garda-commissioner-deeply-sorry-for-abusecases-failings-435913.html
The Garda Commissioner says he is deeply sorry that people who sought assistance after they were sexually abused by priests in the Dublin Archdiocese did not receive the level of response or protection they were entitled to expect.
 |
Fachtna Murphy said the events happened at a time when undue deference was shown to religious institutions and figures - "deference that can have no place in a criminal investigation".
Mr Murphy said the report into the sexual abuse committed in the Dublin Archdiocese over a 40-year period made for "difficult and disturbing reading".
"The Commission has found that, in some cases, because of acts or omissions, individuals who sought assistance did not always receive the level of response or protection which any citizen in trouble is entitled to expect from An Garda Siochana," he said.
"I am deeply sorry that this occurred."
The Commissioner assured the public that protecting children was a priority for the current Force.
Mr Murphy appealed to anyone with information about crimes detailed in today's 'Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin' to contact the dedicated Garda helpline on 01 666 3066.
His comments come as Amnesty International called for the Government to enshrine the rights of the child into the Republic's constitution.
The human rights group said it was time for a public referendum on the issue to pave the way for necessary legislative reform.
"This report makes for deeply shocking reading, even after all that has gone before it," said Colm O'Gorman, Amnesty's executive director in Ireland.
"Bishops in Dublin colluded with child abusers, protecting them and hiding them, enabling them to prey on the innocent. Children were deliberately sacrificed to protect the Church. Dozens of priests and members of the clergy were involved."
But he said the State also had responsibility to shoulder and noted that the authorities are still deprived of many legal powers to protect children.
"Where the State fails to defend the rights of children and abdicates responsibility for their care, then abuse and exploitation are all too often the result," he added.
"Our children are our responsibility, and not the responsibility of any agency that places itself above the law. Today we see the consequences not only of cover-up on the part of the Catholic Church, but also of State failure to guarantee children's rights and child protection.
"We had the Ferns report in 2005, the Ryan report in May and now this. We have more than a decade of broken promises from this Government. Unless our most fundamental law demands that we put children's rights at the heart of the decisions we make they will remain targets for abuse and neglect.
"The Government must fulfil its commitments and deliver a referendum on children's rights. A fitting response to the report published today would be for the Taoiseach to set a date."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.