Thursday, August 18, 2011

Concerns over probe into alleged abuse case

CONCERNS have been raised over the handling of an investigation into the alleged abuse of an intellectually disabled resident at a HSE-run facility.

It has been suggested that as an investigation into the abuse did not involve other residents, there is no way of knowing if it was an isolated case.

Campaigning group Inclusion Ireland said it is impossible to say how widespread abuse of the intellectually disabled was — or is — as there are no independent inspections of the homes and services.

In the case in question, a client of the St Joseph’s service, part of the St Ita’s campus in Portrane, was allegedly repeatedly indecently assaulted by a member of the clergy who actually came forward and admitted his involvement to the Dublin Archdiocese.

However, in a letter to a family member of a man living in the service, the HSE said wider family consultation was "not deemed appropriate" to respect the privacy of the alleged victim and at the request of the alleged victim’s family.

The letter also said whether or not anything had occurred "could not be corroborated" despite the clergyman’s admission.

The matter was investigated and a file has been with the DPP since February at least.

However, it has emerged that families of others in the service only found out about the alleged abuse when it was included in a European report by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Inclusion Ireland said it was concerning that the case came to light in this fashion — and that there is so little information about it.

"People who have family members in the service need to be reassured that there was a proper investigation undertaken and that there were no other victims," a spokesperson said.

"We wrote to St Joseph’s expressing concern over this case, but have yet to receive a reply."

Systemic abuse of the intellectually disabled was uncovered by the McCoy Inquiry in 1999 when allegations of widespread abuse within services for children with intellectual disabilities provided by the Brothers of Charity in Galway were reported.

Although 18 men were investigated in connection with allegations, Gardaí told the Irish Examiner there were no prosecutions arising from the report.