Gardai covered up for clergy sex abuser and investigated victim

jonsnow

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has expressed regret at how gardaí referred to in newly published chapter the Murphy report dealt with allegations of clerical child sex abuse.

At the weekend, Commissioner Callinan said he had “examined chapter 20 of the Murphy Report and all matters in relation to both serving and retired members had been fully examined and a file was submitted to the DPP who directed no prosecution. None of the gardaí criticised in the report are now serving.

“It is a matter of regret to me that people did not receive the appropriate attention and action from the Garda Síochána to which they were entitled. The policies and structures now in place are very much victim-focused and designed to ensure that no one has a similar experience today.”

Chapter 20, which was published in its entirety last Friday, dealt with the abuse of boys in Dublin by former priest Patrick McCabe (77). It had been withheld from publication pending the outcome of court proceedings against him.

It concluded that: “The connivance by the gardaí in effectively stifling one complaint and failing to investigate another, and in allowing Fr McCabe to leave the country is shocking. It is noteworthy that the commission would not have been aware of the Garda activity in question were it not for the information contained in the Church files.”

Allegation
It found that no notes or files were available following McCabe’s interview by gardaí in connection with a 1986 allegation. McCabe was accompanied to the interview by a friend, a retired local Garda sergeant. That evening McCabe visited Chief Superintendent Joe McGovern at his home, where he made “certain limited admissions”. He had been staying in a house belonging to the chief superintendent. The chief superintendent brought these “admissions” to the local parish priest rather than gardaí. Copies of the abused boy’s statement were made available to church authorities.
The Murphy report said that “even though the gardaí knew that Fr McCabe intended to return to the USA, no warrant was sought for his arrest.”

Blackmail
It also recalled that in 1987 a boy went back to the headmaster of the school he attended when abused by McCabe in the late 1970s. A formal complaint was made to the archdiocese about this in 1977. In 1987, the then young man also alleged he had been abused by the priest/headmaster at the school in 1977, when he first reported McCabe to him. This latter priest was convicted years later on sex assault charges against boys at the school.

When the young man threatened to go public in 1987 a complaint of blackmail was made to gardaí. As the Murphy report put it: “The complaint of blackmail by a member of a religious order against a young man who had been abused led to a most exhaustive and comprehensive Garda investigation. It included telephone taps and detailed Garda comment on the young man and his antecedents, some of which in the (Murphy) Commission’s view, were scurrilous.”

A file was sent to the DPP “with a strong Garda recommendation that the young man be prosecuted for blackmail. Interest in the progress of this file extended to the top echelons of the Garda including the Commissioner’s office.”

The DPP directed there be no prosecution. It was then gardaí began to investigate the young man’s original complaint. McCabe pleaded guilty in connection with this case last March.

Pathetic response by Gardai especially those of a senior level and the most disgusting thing is the way they targeted a victim with phone tapping and attempting to get him prosecuted by the DPP for blackmail. The gardai were beyond useless in investigating these crimes and this was as recently as the early 90s. Very depressing.

renegademaster

this is not the first and only example of garda corruption, oh wait Callinan expressed his regret over the whole thing, next :mad::mad:

Sir Humphrey Appleby

Callinan: "No current or former member of the force will be prosecuted".:mad:

renegademaster

Old and grey wrote: »

Callinan: "No current or former member of the force will be prosecuted".:mad:

of course they won't, why? because we will sit on our arses again and let them continue with their corrupt practices but if we step out of line we will feel the full weight of the law down on us!! shame!!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Callinan wasn't commissioner back then and possibly not even in the force when many of those crimes occurred. No Garda that was involved is still serving yet current Gardai are still being tarred with the same brush those from nearly 40 years ago are tarred with. Typical.

steddyeddy

CJC999 wrote: »

Callinan wasn't commissioner back then and possibly not even in the force when many of those crimes occurred. No Garda that was involved is still serving yet current Gardai are still being tarred with the same brush those from nearly 40 years ago are tarred with. Typical.

Sorry but tough luck for them to be honest. I volunteer with victims of abuse and gaurd cover up Of abuse is still very much a fact in Ireland. One of the first Victims of Brendan smith commit suicide over garda inaction and the person in charge of the case "loosing" the file.

If the gaurds want too be respected they needs too prosecute the low lives that covered up abuse.

Too demonstrate how strongly I feel about this I'm actually posting this from a hostel in the rep of Congo (admins feel free too check the location of the ip).

TheLastMohican

'Twould be nice if Callinan did wear sackcloth and ashes as a gesture of humility and apology on behalf of the Gardaí who reneged on their vows - instead of wearing polished buttons, medals and suchlike. This makes him look like Idi Amin or other idiotic third world dictators.

steddyeddy

By the way I think its safe too says the gaudds can be included in the forces for child abuse in this country.

steddyeddy

So how many of the current gaurds is it safe to report child abuse to?

uch

steddyeddy wrote: »

By the way I think its safe too says the gaudds can be included in the forces for child abuse in this country.

That post hurt my eyes

steddyeddy

uch wrote: »

That post hurt my eyes

Did it? well lets sum it up shall we.

We have a force who have historically covered up child abuse and the head of the gaurds doesnt think it fitting to punish any gaurds who covered it up. Now based on that it is a fact that gaurds have covered ups abuse without consequences. Based on that FACT I want peoples opinions on how safe it is too report too the gaurds. I have friends in the gaurds so I trust them but how do I know that there arent gaurds in the force that covered ups child abuse?

HondaSami

steddyeddy wrote: »

So how many of the current gaurds is it safe to report child abuse to?

I would hope all of them tbh, it's a bit different now people are not afraid to ask questions or question authority which is a good thing.
We have to move forward and stop thinking all priests all guards are the same because they are not.

TheLastMohican

The whole thing smacks of Opus Dei secrecy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that quite a few of the top brass in the force are fans of Josemaria Escriva a recently fast tracked saint. Albeit with a dubious background.

renegademaster

steddyeddy wrote: »

Did it? well lets sum it up shall we.

We have a force who have historically covered up child abuse and the head of the gaurds doesnt think it fitting to punish any gaurds who covered it up. Now based on that it is a fact that gaurds have covered ups abuse without consequences. Based on that FACT I want peoples opinions on how safe it is too report too the gaurds. I have friends in the gaurds so I trust them but how do I know that there arent gaurds in the force that covered ups child abuse?

and they'll keep at this and worse if we continue to give them free reign to do so

Pandora2

renegademaster wrote: »

and they'll keep at this and worse if we continue to give them free reign to do so

It's fair to mention Gardaí Ridge & Dooley in Donegal who were instrumental in bringing to justice Kevin Greene after decades of abuse throughout Donegal and further afield, moved, as was their custom, when the heat got too much!! Greene too, in his arrogance, thought that an allegation of blackmail would see off his victim!! Knowing what we now know about the Guards handling of such matters, these two officers are to be commended.

Phill Ewinn

Generally can't trust teh gardy. Wink and nudge rulebook is more important than the letter if the law.

tdv123

That's the Free State forces for you.

Phill Ewinn

tdv123 wrote: »

That's the Free State forces for you.

They're becoming more and more the servants of the government. An Gardy NKVD. Keep us all in line. Keep us all paying up for their masters in Leinster house.

Pandora2

Phill Ewinn wrote: »

They're becoming more and more the servants of the government. An Gardy NKVD. Keep us all in line. Keep us all paying up for their masters in Leinster house.

I would be surprised if rank and file have much time for the occupants of LH, it seems to have been a function of officers to decide how to handle such allegations! And it would appear when it comes to the CC they were able to forget they wore the uniform, not something they are known for!

steddyeddy

A guy gets abused and the gaurds investigate him for blackmail. Whoever is party of that investigation should die roaring in my opinion. I am actually nauseated reading that.