New twist to Donagh sex abuse scandal

Published Friday, 23 July 2010
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A family has claimed they have been warned not to bring children into a hospital ward in Londonderry because paedophile brothers from Donagh are being treated there.

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James and Owen-Roe McDermott, who are at the centre of a child sex abuse scandal in the Fermanagh village, voluntarily entered the Lakeview psychiatric unit for assessment on Thursday.

Theresa Maginnis' 21 year-old son, who has severe learning disabilities, is on the same ward as the McDermott brothers.

"I was totally disgusted because when Colm was at home we looked after him 24/7 with a locked door - all the family helped or we couldn't have had him for 19 years.

"Now he's in two and a half years and the stage I'm at now I would almost go and bring him home because of those two brothers being placed there."

Ms Maginnis is calling for the brothers to be removed from the ward.

"I'm really upset and really angry. Whoever in the health board must be quite unaware of what's happening. They must be or they wouldn't have placed him where they placed him.

"They should be put in the right environment - I would like to see them moved out of Lakeview for everyone."

In a statement to UTV, the Western Trust said that the primary concern is the safety and welfare of patients.

The family's claim came as it emerged that police are to be asked to carry out more investigations in the Fermanagh village following further allegations of child sex abuse.

The investigation, which has already seen the four brothers face a litany of abuse charges dating over a 30 year period, has now been widened.

The Trust adds that it respects all patients' rights to privacy and will not comment on individuals due to confidentiality.

"The public should be assured that on an on-going basis the Trust assesses and manages safety, and where necessary implements safeguarding measures to ensure the protection of all children and vulnerable adults in our care."

One of their victims, known as 'Martin', has said it is alleged others may have been involved in abuse.

"I do know that there has been information that has come out - that the information about other victims has been passed between the McDermott brothers and other people taking part in activities of a similar nature.

"I have it from the highest authority that the PSNI child investigation department is going to be asked to investigate further into these allegations."

Martin said it is his hope that the Donagh area can now be redeemed: "I'm calling on politicians in the area to work as hard as they can to regenerate Donagh.

"There is a chicken house area in Donagh and I would love to see that place completely demolished because a lot of the abuse took place there.

"I'd love to see it demolished and turned into a recreational area and made into a happy place for children."

© UTV News
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4 Comments
philomena woods in WEST MIDLANDS wrote (670 days ago):
I grew up in the same village as these scum, and there were always rumours circulating about sexual acts having taken place between themselves and young kids in the area. nobody ever took it seriously though.? they claim to be unfit to stand trial, yet they were in good enough health to go hunting , work in the clubhouse, and drink in donagh bar? i think they should be locked up and throw away the key. as for the regeneration of donagh, well thats long overdue. all the places where these things took place should be eradicated or at least made safer for future youths in the area. im so glad i dont live there now, because it wasnt a nice place to grow up.
JOAN BERNADETTE HARKIN in DERRY wrote (670 days ago):
from what i,ve been told, lakeview is not an assentment ward for psychiatric patents but is a ward for learning disabilities so it is a disgrace that they are there, if I had a relative there i,d be furious,put them where they belong. JAIL
heather in newtownabbey wrote (671 days ago):
totally disgusted that these monsters are in a hospital where they can roam freely !!!! these beasts need put somewhere were they cannot be a threat to anyone ,, yes they say they are not fit to stand trial ??? they were fit enough to commit such hateful crimes ,, and ruin so many lives ,, so fit or not it should be jail for these beasts !!!!!
john murphy in dublin wrote (671 days ago):
What about those political and Church leaders who concealed the rape of children - they are the people who should be before the courts alongside the perpetrators of such crimes..
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