Garda studies report for assistance with sex crime inquiries

Gardai are to study the Murphy report on child sex abuse in swimming to determine whether it can assist them in current investigations. But a spokesman said yesterday it was not yet clear how helpful the report, which contains new allegations about sex abuse in the sport, would be to Garda inquiries.

The report's findings were described as "shocking and tragic" by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, which said they reinforced the case for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said the report highlighted the need for a clear system of joint training and joint investigation by the health boards and the Garda.

The Green Party TD, Mr Trevor Sargent, said he was stunned by the "catalogue of horrors" described in the report and called for the appointment of a children's ombudsman to protect the interests of children.

The Garda spokesman said at this early stage the force could not be certain of the overlap between current Garda investigations into allegations of sexual abuse and cases mentioned in the report. He said the Garda respected the guarantee of confidentiality given to witnesses who gave evidence to the inquiry.

"The recording of complaints in an inquiry such as this does not meet legal requirements of proof of a crime required by criminal law. Gardai will continue to investigate any complaints of abuse made to them directly.

"The domestic violence unit in Harcourt Square deals specifically with this type of crime."

The ISPCC said the report should not be seen as the end of a process of investigation, but as the starting point for a more complete criminal investigation of known or suspected wrongdoers based on emerging new information.

"It must also be the springboard for further investigation, training and action to isolate other wrongdoers in sport and recreational activities, ensuring that children are safe in the future and that sporting and recreational activities are developmentally appropriate."

Ms Olive Braiden, director of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said the report must not be allowed to go the same way as those on the Kilkenny incest, Madonna House, Kelly Fitzgerald cases and others, all of which had come down in favour of mandatory reporting.

"The onus is on the Government to do something now and not to wait until there is another scandal and another report," she said.