Micheál Martin proposes all-Ireland IRA child abuse inquiry

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin met the North's Minister of Justice, David Ford, yesterday to press his case for a cross-Border inquiry into "child abuse by the Provisional IRA".

Mr Martin followed up on his call last month for such an all-island inquiry by meeting the Minister and Alliance leader at Stormont. He briefed Mr Ford on his proposal to establish a cross-Border inquiry into issues arising from the Maíria Cahill case. He previously said he favoured the establishment of a commission or board composed of people with expertise in sexual abuse cases.

At his meeting, the Fianna Fáil leader focused on claims that the IRA had secretly moved alleged child abusers south of the Border. He said he discussed a number of cases of other “victims who have come forward to tell their story”.

“The practice of moving abusers over the Border appears to have been significant. It is clear, therefore, that any proper effort to get the bottom of the problem will need to be cross-Border in its scope and operation,” he said after the meeting.

“It is also clear from the treatment of Maíria Cahill that any such inquiry would need to include a mechanism to allow victims come forward and have their anonymity and safety protected,” he added.

Known abusers

Mr Martin by implication also said that the identities of the alleged abusers were known to Sinn Féin.

“Based on the information available to date, we know that there are abusers living within the Republic and in the North whose identities are unknown to the PSNI and the gardaí, but are known to a political party,” he said.

“This is unsustainable, potentially puts children at risk and needs to be addressed.”

Mr Martin called the meeting "useful" and said that he hoped that the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, would follow up on his proposal.

“Too many Irish children have suffered from abuse at the hands of powerful organisations,” he said. “Those entrusted with public service have a duty to make sure that their stories are heard and that, as a society, we do whatever is necessary to ensure it can never happen again.”

Meanwhile Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has written to Taoiseach Enda Kenny requesting a meeting to discuss Mr McGuinness’s proposal for an all-Ireland approach to assisting victims of sexual abuse.

“There is a pressing need to ensure those victims of abuse who were failed by state agencies or others or who did not access state agencies during the conflict, can now find support and justice,” Mr McGuinness said.