News Article

Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

VS
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin holds a report into clerical child abuse in the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin

Church and Gardai 'covered up' abuse

Paedophile priests were not prosecuted because senior police officers believed clerics were untouchable, a damning report into 30 years of child abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese revealed.

Thursday, 26 November 2009
Tags:
  • Local News
  • church
  • Republic of Ireland

The document that looked into clerical child abuse uncovered inappropriate contacts between members of the Republic's An Garda Siochana and the Dublin Archdiocese.

It found the connivance of Gardai with the church effectively stifled one complaint, saw that there was no investigation into another and allowed a priest to leave the country.

Article Continues

The Commission said it would not have been aware of allegations made to gardai had it not been for information in Church files.

In particular, it criticised the handling of one case by former Garda Commissioner Daniel Costigan in the mid-1960s. He resigned in 1965.

It revealed he breached his duty by handing over details of a complaint against a priest known as Father Edmondus to Archbishop McQuaid without carrying out a thorough investigation.

A photography firm in the UK raised concerns over Fr Edmondus after receiving a roll of 26 images of girls aged 10 and 11 in sexual poses.

Scotland Yard was called in and told Garda Commissioner Daniel Costigan but there is no evidence of a garda investigation.

The cleric was finally jailed almost four decades later.

"A number of very senior members of the gardai, including the Commissioner in 1960, clearly regarded priests as being outside their remit," it stated.

The Commission said four Archbishops, including Cardinal Desmond Connell, did not report their knowledge of abuse throughout the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s.

Their obsession to keep allegations secret meant few complaints were brought to the attention of gardai until the mid-1990s.

Even when Cardinal Connell handed over 17 names to officers in 1995, the Commission later found there were 28 priests with allegations against them at that time.

But Gardai said they were happy with the co-operation they later received from the Cardinal.

As the damming findings were revealed Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy apologised for the force's past failures to protect victims.

'Cover-up'

In the three-year inquiry, the Commission uncovered a sickening tactic of "don't ask, don't tell" throughout the Church.

"The Commission has no doubt that clerical child sexual abuse was covered up by the Archdiocese of Dublin and other Church authorities," it said.

"The structures and rules of the Catholic Church facilitated that cover-up.

"The State authorities facilitated that cover-up by not fulfilling their responsibilities to ensure that the law was applied equally to all and allowing the Church institutions to be beyond the reach of the normal law enforcement processes."

Four archbishops - John Charles McQuaid who died in 1973, Dermot Ryan who died in 1984, Kevin McNamara who died in 1987, and retired Cardinal Desmond Connell - did not hand over information on abusers.

Cardinal Desmond Connell, Dermot Ryan, Kevin McNamara, and John Charles McQuaid were named in the report over their mishandling of hundreds of allegations.

The primary loyalty of bishops and archbishops is to the Church, the report said.

Bishop James Kavanagh, Bishop Dermot O'Mahony, Bishop Laurence Forristal, Bishop Donal Murray and disgraced Bishop Brendan Comiskey, a reformed alcoholic who failed to control paedophile priests when in charge of the Ferns Diocese, all knew about child abuse for many years.

The inquiry, headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy, said the hierarchy cannot claim they did not know that child sex abuse was a crime.

Findings

Parts of the 700-page report have been censored to prevent pending or potential prosecutions of abusers being prejudiced with references to two priests, and one of the cleric's brothers, removed.

While the Dublin Archdiocese inquiry found no evidence of a paedophile ring, some of the most shocking findings included:

  • One priest admitted sexually abusing more than 100 children;
  • Another accepted he abused on a fortnightly basis during his 25-year ministry;
  • One complaint was made against a priest who later admitted abusing at least six other children;
  • It took gardai 20 years to decide on a prosecution of one priest.

The inquiry, which was looking at a sample of 46 priests dating back to 1975 but took its review back as far as the 1940s, outlined an insurance scheme for victims set up by the Archdiocese in 1987.

Church files show at the time Archbishops McNamara, Ryan and McQuaid had, between them, information on complaints against at least 17 priests.

The Commission said it proved the hierarchy knew the sex abuse scandals would cost the Church dearly.

The Archdiocese was pre-occupied until the mid-1990s with maintaining secrecy, avoiding scandal, protecting the reputation of the Church and preservation of assets.

All other concerns, including the damage done to young victims, came second, the report said.

© Press Association

Send to a friend

Email To
Your Name
Comment
Close
POST COMMENT 11 Comments
FirstFirst   Previous  1 2  Next    LastLast 

At 02:09 on 03 December 2009, Kenneth Doyle wrote:

As a young boy I was molested in St Josephs in Galway. I went to the Garda and reported what was happening to me. The Garda laughed at me. I was told not to talk about religous people like that. I was 11 years old. The Garda should have listened to me. I was let down by those who were paid to protect me.

At 04:05 on 30 November 2009, victoriag wrote:

how can these Graceless Traitors to their sacred vows continue to say they're sorry and still expect to be believed?

At 12:33 on 27 November 2009, Willhelm wrote:

If the RC church had been any other organisation or company, the cops would have smashed down the doors years ago and shut the place down. Why are the church covering up and sanctioning these sickening crimes? To think of society's vulnerable being abused by these odious perverts is truly stomach churning. And yet, we still hear about the previous Pope being made a saint??? He should have been thrown in jail

At 11:57 on 27 November 2009, lorna wrote:

Let us not forget the Gardai. There must be an inquiry as to why the Gardai did nothing to protect these innocent children when the abuse was brought to their attention. Seems to be the Gardai put loyality to the Church before they duty to protect.I can't understand when the Bishop was told that a priest was abusing how he could turn a blind eye for the good of the church. Would common sense not tell him the church would only suffer when the truth was revealed

At 01:05 on 27 November 2009, John O wrote:

In the wider context I cant understand how people continue to fund such an organisation. I think ordinary catholics and religious people ought to look at their own morals and look inside themselves. Having seen cardinal sean brady on tv, I found him to be very unconvincing and made me feel uneasy at what he said and how he reacted to certain aspects. He showed many traits of further cover up and only cares for the church over any welfare of children or any vulnerable people. We need an investigation into northern ireland and I hope as the catholic church isn't powerful here a much more fair thorough job can be done.

At 00:41 on 27 November 2009, Heather wrote:

These people should be named and shamed!! They should face the full vigor of the law and no stone should be left unturned to bring them to justice!! What kind of people would cover these hideous crimes up? Pillars of the community? I think not!! Pure evil people!!! Yet in this day and age they will of course be taken by the hand, and their victims will be left with the reality of the crimes against them brushed under the carpet YET AGAIN as has been the case for dear knows how many years. Lets get these animals brought to justice and maybe just maybe they will get some closure of sorts in this matter!

At 23:41 on 26 November 2009, rev. robert hoatson wrote:

Isn't is clear to all Catholics that we must demand a dismantling of the hierarchy of our Church? Who was responsible for reports of child abuse during the 1980s and 1990s? The present Pope! He had to have known about and probably spearheaded the cover-up. He has to go along with the system and policies that have kept him in power. Perverse power must be dismantled. I stand in solidarity with my Irish brother and sister survivors of abuse. Had it not been for your courage, this report never would have been published.

POST YOUR COMMENT
Name:
Email Address:
Location:
Your Comment:
Verification Code: Captcha Code Get New Code


[Before posting, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with our house rules. All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Any information you enter, including email and web addresses, will be displayed on our site if passed by our moderators.]


Related Links

Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin

UTV is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Local News

Robinson warns SF to honour deal  Video Available Parades meeting 'business-like'  Video Available Woman admits killing husband Supermarket boss murder 'brutal' Uri Geller to sue in Belfast over Jackson claims LATEST Maginness candidate for justice role  Video Available Man dies in industrial accident Three arrested over Carroll murder Gardai in dissident republican raids 750 bank jobs cut in Ireland TUV calls for weapons inventory MLA introduces double-jobbing bill Parades working group announced Thousands of AIB customers overcharged Restaurant robbed by armed man Law firm sues trade union Lee quits the Dail Garda chief backs protection move Chinese school wins Irish language funding Minister rejects calls for McElhill inquiry Brown welcomes weapons disposal  Video Available Devlin accused 'not at murder scene' Minister's appointment 'corrupted' - Ritchie  Video Available Lorry crash cyclist in hospital Website run by paedophile unblocked New Sainsbury's store approved Arrests after cars vandalised Sinn Fein 'not deterred' by threats Ritchie becomes SDLP leader Doubts cast over justice minister INLA decommissions weapons  Video Available Raider threatens staff at Belfast takeaway Man assaulted at city shopping centre Durkan slams SF in last leader speech  Video Available Man arrested over teen assault Primary pupils get transfer results  Video Available Obama hails 'historic' NI deal Reactions to devolution deal  Video Available UUP will not 'rush' deal decision  Video Available Valliday guilty of 'Bap' murder Giant fuel laundering plant dismantled Man jailed over schoolgirl assault Omagh verdict to be challenged Uncle 'forced' to identify McIlwaine body Policing and parades deal detailed  Video Available April devolution confirmed  Video Available Woman injured in bat attack TV producer jailed for wife killing North Belfast security alert ends DUP MLAs back devolution deal More Local News

National News

Defend UK firms from foreign takeovers, says former Cadbury boss British soldiers killed in Afghanistan named by MoD Timing of FSA chief's departure months before an election is out of joint Six British soldiers in custody over Lanzarote restaurant brawl Scrap UK's wind farm plans, says Gazprom boss Krzysztof Skubiszewski obituary London Olympics budget hit by falling land values 'Gangland bling' of Beowulf era to go on show in Staffordshire Tories: we'll block regional TV news plan from getting through parliament Commander lauds training of UK troops heading to Afghanistan Top London bloggers: Adam Bienkov Labour party's phone calls to voters breached privacy laws Man arrested over 1985 murder of PC Blakelock Archbishop of Canterbury appeals for unity over gay clergy and women bishops Inner-city secondary schools facing headteacher shortage The importance of co-operatives TV product placement plan confirmed Toyota Prius recall: an owner's verdict Help at hand in the carbon policy jungle Libel reform may not secure free speech Fare-dodging in Ealing: an education Student to be freed after terror conviction quashed UK's trade deficit widens Discovery of woman's skeleton sparks murder inquiry Swedish-style 'free schools won't improve standards' Sorry mess of the Ali Dizaei case Vauxhall announces job losses at Luton van plant Ali Dizaei disciplinary charges dropped 'due to politics' Macho and excessive armed policing Top London blogger: Adam Bienkov Constitutional crumbs are not enough Hector Sants resigns as FSA boss Indecision is evident across the board in Europe Freezing weather returns to Britain Housing market suffers January freeze British Airways plane crash caused by 'unknown' ice buildup Labour press conference on the NHS - live Was Gordon Brown right to talk about his daughter's death? David Cameron accused of hypocrisy over opposition to electoral reform Erwin James: why are so many former soldiers in prison? Ian Blair: police 'unaffordable' and Tory plans 'entirely wrong' Raise the bar for teacher recruits, schools committee says Asylum failings damage lives, says immigration watchdog Speaker warns Commons MPs' trial could be put at risk by careless talk Ali Dizaei sentenced to four years in jail Pitt and Jolie to sue News of the World over 'split' story David Cameron promises two-year lobbying ban and pension penalties for former ministers Cabinet did not need to hear legal doubts over Iraq invasion, says Straw Benefit informers could be given share of cash saved Inheritance levy to fund social care being considered by ministers More National News

International News

Canadian air force high flyer on double murder charge The Ukrainian novelist who's foretold David Cameron for PM US Mortgage Bankers Association sells HQ at $38m loss Venezuelan president pounces on listeners with 'Suddenly Chávez' Toyota dealers pull ads from ABC over 'excessive' news coverage Double standards on human rights Senior Chinese climatologist calls for reform of IPCC Washington braces itself for further heavy snow Healthcare summit view will be bleak Sarath Fonseka's wife appeals for husband's freedom Film reignites literary debate over Alexandre Dumas's ghostwriter Chinese farms cause more pollution than factories, says official survey Police target dissident republicans on both sides of Irish border Senior Chinese climatologist calls for reform of IPCC Coca Cola, Standard Chartered and the oil industry - a force for good? Google tells creators of Chinese website to drop logo US climate monitoring information service gets go-ahead in Washington Philippines charge clan head over massacre Karaoke versions of Sinatra's My Way provoke killings in Phillippines? Tymoshenko 'to challenge Ukraine election result' Iran begins enriching higher grade uranium, says state TV Brain food: Forget the Harvard MBA – learn from Africa Toyota issues global recall of hybrid cars over brake concerns China jails investigator into Sichuan earthquake schools The war on 'cures' for homosexuality Toyota Prius among recall of hybrid cars in Japan Mightier than the kirpan Amnesty report slams alumina mine run by Vedanta subsidiary in India Veteran congressman's death adds to Barack Obama's woes Michael Jackson's doctor charged over pop singer's drugs death Sarah Palin's old-fashioned Palm Pilot From the archive: American Diary: Tootsie and Gandhi US must be Haiti's watchdog Cost of insuring European national debts hits new high France to issue citizens' handbooks to every child Sri Lankan general held in crackdown FSA warns against heavy-handed EU regulation of hedge funds Toyota denies Prius braking problem is a safety issue as recall crisis deepens India to rule on future of aubergine as country's first genetically modified food New split in Church of England over women bishops German retirees took their financial adviser hostage, court hears Costa Rica elects first female president in landslide victory An epic task for Greece Italian heir shot dead in boar hunt accident Obama seeks peace deal on health reform Israel in Africa Indian tribe appeals for Hollywood help to stop Vedanta Rival Irish republican groups disarm The real no-go area in Brussels Climate scientists hit out at 'sloppy' melting glaciers error More International News

News

Don't Miss

Around the site