Statement of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan on the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Cloyne on Wednesday, the 13th July 2011.
The Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, today welcomed the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Cloyne.
Acknowledging the considerable investigative work carried out by the Commission of Investigation under the chairmanship of Judge Yvonne Murphy the Commissioner said:
"This report details 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 in our community. It outlines omissions and failures in the way in which complaints and allegations were addressed.
While the Commission found that a number of complainants were highly complimentary about the way in which the Gardaí dealt with their complaints and that most of the gardaí who were involved in investigating the complaints outlined in the report carried out their tasks well and did so while treating the complainants with compassion and dignity, it did state that it was very concerned about the approach adopted by the gardaí in three cases.”
Apologising to the victims at the heart of those cases, the Garda Commissioner said:
"It is a matter of regret to me that people did not receive the appropriate attention and action from the Garda Síochána 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.”
Following the publication of the report into the Dublin Archdiocese, Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney was tasked with examining the findings of that report relating to the handling of complaints and investigations by both Church and State authorities and carry out such investigations and inquiries as he deemed appropriate. His examination will now be extended to include this report on the Cloyne Archdiocese.
The Commissioner noted the Commission’s welcome for the establishment of the Sexual Crime Management Unit saying:
"In 2010 An Garda Síochána published its policy on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare which consolidated and enhanced all existing directives and guidance in this area. It is also informed by a number of recent reports and studies including the Ryan Commission to inquire into Child Abuse and the Murphy Commission of Investigation into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.
The policy provides that it is each District Officer’s (Superintendent) responsibility to ensure a full, expeditious and professional investigation of all reports of sexual crimes, crimes against children and child welfare concerns in their District. A nominated Garda Inspector in each Garda Division monitors the progress of all sexual crime investigations.
A quarterly audit of all such investigations must be conducted until all matters within those investigations have been finalised. That completed audit must be submitted to the Divisional Officer (Chief Superintendent) who will ensure that all investigations are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible and that any matters requiring attention are dealt with immediately by the District Officer. These quarterly audits of all crime of a sexual nature are also forwarded to the Sexual Crime Management Unit based at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The Sexual Crime Management Unit is tasked with evaluating a number of investigations of child sexual abuse, child neglect and other sexual offences each year to ensure they are receiving appropriate attention and being brought to a prompt conclusion. The Unit also assists and advises members in the investigation of such crimes and promotes best investigative practice in line with international standards. In addition the Unit acts as a central point of contact for receipt of notifications from the religious orders thus ensuring the appropriate course of action on receipt of same.”
Emphasising again the importance of individuals reporting sexual crime to gardaí, the Garda Commissioner said:
"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 gardaí will be met with sensitivity and with professionalism.”
The Commissioner 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.
Any person wishing to provide information in relation to the report published 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, Dublin 2 at – 01-6663612.
Alternatively people can write to the Office of the Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2.
Other Garda initiatives to enhance the investigation of sexual crime and crimes against children:
- the establishment of a Crime Training Faculty to train senior investigating officers, incident room managers and detectives;
- the training and appointment of specialist child interviewers throughout the country;
- the establishment and rollout of dedicated child interview suites in each region; and
- the development and implementation of a Youth and Children Strategy 2009-2011.
