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Government nixes national inquiry into church child abuse

Opposition calls for all dioceses to be investigated

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, December 24, 2010, 4:51 AM

Updated Friday, December 24, 2010, 5:04 AM

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Minister for Children Barry Andrews

The Irish government has rejected calls for the Murphy Commission to investigate every diocese in Ireland for child abuse following the sensational findings in Wexford and Dublin and major revelations expected in the just concluded investigation into the Cloyne diocese.

Minister for Children Barry Andrews stated that “I’m not convinced the length of time and the expense would teach us any more than what we know already.”

However Fine Gael spokesman on children, Charlie Flanagan disagree strongly. Fine Gael is the main opposition party and is expected to form the next government.

“It is clear from the litany of horrors that have already been revealed that a full national audit of all Catholic dioceses is required,” he said.

The Murphy Commission was responsible for the investigation of clerical abuse in dioceses such as Ferns which covers Wexford, the Dublin Archdiocese and has just completed a similar investigation into the Cloyne diocese in Cork.

Flanagan made his remarks as the new report was being handed over to the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern on Thursday.

The Fine Gael spokesman said reflecting on “what we already know of Cloyne, Ferns and the Dublin Archdiocese and from the Murphy and Ryan report, the information which has emerged is too grave and the litany of abuse is too horrific for this to be avoided any longer.”

“The culture within the church which allowed this abuse must be exposed and its countless child victims must be heard,” he said.

“Fine Gael believes the remit of the Murphy commission could be extended to cover other dioceses in the country. The Director of Public Prosecutions must also be furnished with all appropriate information.

“The veil of secrecy which facilitated the continued suffering of children at the hands of paedophile priests must be lifted for good,” he added.

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curranart | Dec 26, 2010, 04:42 PM EST

Minister for Children Barry Andrews stated that “I’m not convinced the length of time and the expense would teach us any more than what we know already.”What a load of negative crap, the quicker Ireland gets rid of people with these negative attitudes the better. The quicker all villages and towns and Citys are investigated in order to wipe out these sick parisites the better.Sex monsters should be eridicated.

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JimThompson | Dec 26, 2010, 01:10 PM EST

The next thing to be legalized will be to recognize those freaks that love to have relations with nimals or those who believe in man-boy or woman-girl love.

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SingleDonald | Dec 25, 2010, 08:09 PM EST

adfloatj23, No, it is YOU who have your head up your nether regions! As all who follow my posts know, I abhor child abuse as much as anyone here. However, how do you prosecute someone for something that allegedly happened in 1964?? What witnesses can be called by either the accused, or the victims? What's to say that an isolated incident was not the evil act it was imagined to be? Then, what about the gold diggers? I recall a Cardinal being falsely accused a few years ago, before the "victim" confessed that he made it all up, just to get money. The Cardinal died within a year, happily vindicated! Let's prosecute the recent cases, which can stand up to more scrutiny. The evils of the past can certainly establish a pattern into the present, and this evil culture should finally be eradicated! One final analogy. In New York State, prior to 1968, a boy could be charged with "statutory rape" if he had consensual sex with even a same age girl!! Should we waive the statute of limitations in New York, and prosecute all, or selected cases where boys prior to 1968 had consensual sex with girls in high school? Give me a break!!

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Kilbarry1 | Dec 25, 2010, 02:18 PM EST

(1) There was a Garda investigation into child abuse at Artane Industrial school in Dublin that involved up to a dozen Gardai for three years. As a result ONE Christian Brother was convicted of indecent assault. ... (2) There was a similar investigation for years re Letterfrack Industrial school in Galway. This also resulted in ONE conviction though for the more serious crime of buggery. ..... (3) There was a concurrent investigation lasting years into allegations that children had been MURDERED in Letterfrack. The Garda Superintendent announced that NO evidence had been found to support this. (4) There was an investigation into alleged criminal negligence by senior Church officials in Dublin Archdiocese - again involving several Gardai for years. NO criminal charges resulted. ..... (4)There was a similar (recent) Garda investigation into claims that Bishop John Magee of Cloyne was guilty of criminal negligence. NO charges were brought. (5) There was a recent Garda investigation into claims that the Church had interfered in an investigation into the murder of a child Bernadette Connolly in 1970. The Minister for Justice recently informed Deputy Alan Shatter that no evidence of any such interference was found. ..... THE WASTE OF GARDA TIME HAS BEEN ENORMOUS.

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STUMPTOWN | Dec 25, 2010, 10:39 AM EST

Do you think the RCC has a wee bit to much clout in holy Ireland? Do you think that all in Ireland must never be above the law no matter who? Does not a nation not only have the right but the responsiblity to protect their children fully against any person no matter of one that silence the truth to protect the violater for the reson to protect the image of a given institution? Why did the meeting at the Vatican nation over look the one that brought the truth of Irish child abuse to light? Food for thought my fellow citizens of Ireland.

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JOHNTOBIN | Dec 25, 2010, 02:57 AM EST

I agree completely with Pittsburgkid.

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2TelltheTRUTH | Dec 24, 2010, 09:13 PM EST

Pittsburgkid Don't know what you are talking about...most cases in the US have not led to HUGE Payouts as you have stated, the church like here in Ireland have been well insulated and continue to make every effort to ensure that is still the case. The laws have favored the abuser and those that have protected them...without a doubt, in the interest of all those abused and those in ministry who may still pose a threat to children, a full investigation by the government should be made. If it is the cost of such an investigation which is dampening the will of the government then they should require the church to foot the bill!

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adfloatj23 | Dec 24, 2010, 09:09 PM EST

!t would appear that singledonald has his head up his rear, He feels we cant punish for something that happened decades ago, What planet is he on , Decades ago its still happening today, Dumb Ass, And until we get those dip-shits of a government out of the churches hands, Lets look at all of the abuses so we can put it finally to rest, With the catholic church

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2TelltheTRUTH | Dec 24, 2010, 09:05 PM EST

Sounds like the church still holds some sway in Ireland...without a doubt...people of Ireland are probably beyond being shocked...but is that why you did the first investigations? Certainly not...things hidden in darkness must be revealed, this should be done for the VICTIMS and their families. It should be done to bring to light those who perpetrated and concealed these crimes! Remember, "the truth will set you free". If the government continues to take the position its not worth the money and effort...for sure they will not be the ruling party for long.

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SingleDonald | Dec 24, 2010, 08:08 PM EST

My sympathies are, as always, with those who were abused. However, I will always also feel that we can't punish something that allegedly happened decades ago. Let the scandal lead to greater awareness, which it certainly has. Hopefully, this awareness will prevent a similar scandal from ever happening again.

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Searlit | Dec 24, 2010, 06:27 PM EST

I'm with Fine Gael on this issue. Investigate , so that the survivors and their families can have their faith in humanity somewhat restored. That is very little to ask for, after they have been let down by authority figures, post their sexual abuse and betrayal by pedophile priests.

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Paulinebyrne | Dec 24, 2010, 03:02 PM EST

This is so sad, why would the minister decide to not carry on to shed light on just exactly how many young people were victims of the Catholic Church. Smells of more cover up to me. What power the Church had and still has, what a mockery. Absolute power corrupts absolutely I cannot tell you how disgusted and repulsed I feel when I think of how the victims were treated by Gods Representatives on earth. Of course religion is man made, and we know who it serves.

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Portia777 | Dec 24, 2010, 12:15 PM EST

"Minister for Children Barry Andrews stated that “I’m not convinced the length of time and the expense would teach us any more than what we know already.” Has Barry got a crystal ball? How could he posibly know truth with full investigation? I believe Barry knows the law on having an obligation to investigate child abuse.Or is Barry a follower of Kinsey and his legalising of pedophilia agenda? which would allow all child rapists etc off with their crimes.

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Pittsburghkid | Dec 24, 2010, 10:05 AM EST

This will all go away when the Catholic Church approves Abortion. Pediphiles are not limited to the Catholic Church. They are found in School, Church other then Catholic. The Liberals have concentrated on the Catholic, because of Abortion. This artical (read down) is editing out important details, like when. In America, they went after Priest as far back as the 50's. Of course the victim were paid large amounts of money, making you wonder their real motive.

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cillowen | Dec 24, 2010, 09:30 AM EST

sinn fein hold-outs

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