Clerical abuse inquiry to begin

An investigation into the welfare and protection of children who
attended a boarding school in Cork operated by the Missionaries of the
Sacred Heart is to commence, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has
confirmed.

The move comes after a priest allegedly connected to child molestation was recently named in the Seanad.

In
a statement issued Tuesday night, HSE national director for children and
families Gordon Jeyes said he had initiated an inquiry into the
allegations which concerns Coláiste an Chroí Naofa, a school situated in
Carraig na bhFear, about 12km outside of Cork city.

The inquiry is to be carried out in cooperation with An Garda Siochana.

An investigation by the Garda Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit is also under way.

Fianna
Fáil Senator Mark Daly named the priest at the centre of the
investigation in the Seanad in July. He said that despite seven cases
being reported to four different Garda stations between 1986 and 2008,
the Director of Public Prosecutions had declined to pursue a criminal
prosecution.

Senator Daly said a religious order had, however,
settled a civil case in relation to this priest before it was brought to
court.

Coláiste an Chroí Naofa was established by the
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1950 as a seminary and was
originally a boarding school for boys.

Since then it has evolved into a co-educational voluntary secondary school attended by approximately 450 boys and girls.

The
school is currently managed by Catholic Education, an Irish Schools
Trust (CEIST), a trustee body for the voluntary secondary schools fo the
Daughters of Charity, the Presentation Sisters, the Sisters of the
Christian Retreat, the Sisters of Mercy and the Missionairies of the
Sacred Heart.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances
Fitzgerald and the Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter have
welcomed the announcement.

The minister said they were limited in what they could say publicly state at this time until the investigation is completed.

However,
they said it was important to state that they had been assured that
none of those against whom allegations have been made are currently
engaged in any work activities which bring them into contact with
children.

 

Source