Victims' group seeks new inquiry

A member of the group representing victims of swimming coaches Derry O'Rourke and George Gibney said last night she was "freaked" by the revelation that allegations had been made against two other coaches.

"I don't know where they are, maybe they're dead and gone, maybe they're still out there," said the woman who, like other members of the group of parents and victims, was shown the Murphy report yesterday.

The woman, who expressed deep disappointment at the report's findings, said it contained good recommendations, but victims and concerned parents had no faith in the IASA's willingness to implement them.

The report did not name names or attempt to make accountable those in positions of authority who had allowed the abuse of children in the sport to continue, she said.

"People didn't act and because they didn't act, other children were abused. I don't think they should get away with that. As things stand now the same people will be left in charge of Irish swimming."

Instead of allaying parents' concerns, the revelation that allegations had been made against two other coaches - both involving "very young children" - had heightened fears. One of the cases is alleged to have occurred some years ago, and the other in the recent past. "These coaches aren't named, we don't know who they are. It's just not on to say that and leave it there."

Dr Murphy said in the report that the allegations against these two coaches were outside his brief, but the concerned parents and victims had wanted an inquiry into sex abuse throughout the sport, she added.

The group still wanted the type of inquiry it had demanded all along, with full judicial powers to compel witnesses to attend and cross-examine them.

However, the woman stressed that the group, which was shown the report in the Office of the Attorney General, was not allowed to take copies of it and had only a limited time to read it. They had been there from 10.30 a.m. and could have remained until 4 p.m., but in fact left "exhausted" at about 2.30 p.m.