Abuse report delay inquiry

Minister of State for Health Jimmy Devins is to set up an independent inquiry into the delay in compiling the report into abuse at the Brothers of Charity residential centres in Galway.

Asked about the eight-year inquiry, which was published on Tuesday, Dr Devins told the Dáil that he considered the delay totally unacceptable.

"At the request of the Department of Health and Children, the HSE is developing protocols for the management of all future inquiries of this kind.

"In addition, I am arranging to have an immediate inquiry carried out by an independent person into the causes of the delay in preparing this report. The person will be asked to report to me as quickly as possible."

Fine Gael spokesman on children Alan Shatter said an inquiry team was put in place in March 1999, at the request of the Brothers of Charity, to look into serious allegations of physical and sexual abuse relating to children suffering from an intellectual disability. However, by mid-2001 every member had resigned, except the chairperson.

"Indeed, two of the people appointed by the western health board had resigned by mid-summer 1999. It has taken a completely unacceptable period of time, almost nine years, for the publication of this report.

"I believe that if the victims of abuse had not been persons of intellectual disability, there would have been a public scandal a number of years ago and a demand for publication."

The Minister, he said, should investigate why the members of the committee had resigned and why it was not made public knowledge at the time.

Mr Shatter said the report detailed yet another "tragic litany of abuse", but it was also extraordinary that it appeared only 21 victims of alleged abuse were dealt with. Yet, 135 residents of Brothers of Charity institutions had sought compensation through the redress board.

"The report, I believe, did not travel the distance and produce the comprehensive information it was obliged to produce."

Dr Devins said the inquiry was established when the western health board and the Garda became aware of allegations by 21 clients at the Renmore and Kilcornan services against 18 people.

Eleven were members of the Brothers of Charity congregation, four were lay staff and three were former service-users.