The Irish Times are reporting that ‘an independent review has been commissioned into the handling of historical child sex abuse allegations in St John Ambulance’. This is yet another report of historical failures of our institutions to protect children that were in trusted in their care. In the last number of weeks, we have seen the first sets of proceedings being issued with respect to the Mother and Baby Homes, the conviction of John McClean, Belvedre College issuing a statement about Fr Joseph Marmion SJ and Simon Coveney issuing a statement about alleged sexual abuse in the Curragh Camp.
The Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman, has welcomed an independent review into the management of historical child sexual abuse allegations at St John Ambulance. It is understood that St John Ambulance have asked Roderic O’Gorma, an internationally recognised expert in child protection, to undertake an independent review. The report is to focus on how St John Ambulances handled of past allegations of child sexual abuse relating to one volunteer. Tulsa have already deemed the allegations of abuse made against this individual founded.
According to the Irish Times, the abuser, who is now in his 80s, ‘was a senior figure in the Old Kilmainham division, and a member of the organisation from the 1950s until at least 2000, leaving under pressure to resign.’ The Irish times further reports that ‘Two further alleged victims have since come forward claiming they were also sexually abused as children by the same man. Two of the five survivors, who spoke to The Irish Times, said they had reported the alleged abuse to other senior figures in the voluntary paramedic organisation at the time.
We Can Help
If you, or a loved one has been affected by historical sexual abuse, we can help you. We have over 25 years’ experience in bring sexual abuse claims on behave of survivors. Not only do we do we have extensive experience in this area, but we understand the sensitive and compassionate manner in which these sexual abuse claims need to be dealt with.
We understand how important and Hanahoe and Hanahoe are an award-winning law firm, having twice been named Leinster Law Firm of the Year at the Irish Law Awards. We have over 40 years’ experience litigation experience and over 25 years-experience in dealing with sexual abuse claims