President McAleese today expressed her “dismay” at the findings of the Commission of Investigation into the handling of abuse allegations by the Archdiocese of Dublin
“This failure to prioritise the protection and welfare of children has left a legacy of great hurt for those abused and their families and our first thoughts are with them on this very difficult day,” Mrs McAleese said. “It goes without saying that a key priority now is to ensure that every assistance and support is provided to them.
The President commended the commission members for their “invaluable” work.
She said it was reassuring that the commission is satisfied that the child protection structures and procedures in operation today are effective.
“The challenge for everybody involved now must to be ensure that these agreed structures and procedures continue to function fully, in order to maximize protection of our children.
“What the report also reminds us, and what must never be forgotten, is that child abuse is and always has been a criminal offence. The appropriate authorities, therefore, are the Garda Síochana and the courts, and no one, but no one, is above the law of the land."