Garda Commissioner Apologises to Victims, by Aoife Carr, Irish Times, July 13, 2011

Garda Commissioner Apologises to Victims

By Aoife Carr
Irish Times
July 13, 2011

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0713/breaking64.html

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has today stressed the importance of reporting sexual crime to the gardai following publication of the Clyone report.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said the Cloyne Report detailed “another difficult and sorry chapter" in the story of how both Church and State authorities in Ireland responded to the sexual abuse of young people.

While the report is largely complimentary about the role played by gardai, it does raise concerns about its approach in three cases.

In one, an investigation was “clearly not commenced”. In a second case, a statement that was taken from a young man by a garda who was due to retire was put in a drawer and forgotten about. In a third case, the evidence given to the commission by a garda differed from statements he had made to prior Garda investigations.

Mr Callinan apologised to the victims saying it was a matter of regret to him that people did not receive the appropriate attention and action from the Garda 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 stressed the importance of reporting sexual crime to the gardai.

"I want to assure the community that we have invested much time, energy and resources into ensuring that both our policies and people are effective in this sensitive and challenging area. Anyone making a complaint to gardai will be met with sensitivity and with professionalism,” he said.

Mr Callinan has asked Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne to examine the report to see whether, in addition to action already taken, any further action can be taken against the abusers referred to in it.

Anyone wishing to provide information in relation to the report or who want to report information about the commission of a criminal offence arising from the report can contact the dedicated telephone line established at the offices of Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services, Harcourt Square in Dublin on 01-6663612.