Paul Murphy urges public inquiry into St John Ambulance abuse
Paul Murphy addressed Dr Shannon's report into sexual abuse of children at St John Ambulance, calling for a public inquiry and accountability. He said survivors, including Mick Finnegan, have an apology but no accountability and pressed the government for action.
The speech recalled Dr Shannon's report, published almost two years ago, which the speaker described as harrowing reading. The report found that a culture had facilitated the potential grooming of children and that the organisation had failed to intervene despite knowing that the boys were at risk; it concluded the organisation had failed to act against the perpetrator for years despite a significant degree of organisational awareness of the risk he posed.
The speaker referenced survivors who have campaigned and spoken out and named Mick Finnegan as a prominent advocate. He noted that survivors have received an apology but, in his words, have not received any accountability for how the abuse was allowed to continue.
Paul Murphy asked directly whether the government will grant a public inquiry to establish how the failings occurred, how the abuse was able to continue for so long, and to ensure it cannot be repeated. He framed the inquiry request as necessary to secure accountability and prevent future harm.
A response in the chamber thanked Deputy Murphy for raising the issue and praised Mick Finnegan's advocacy, noting his visits to Leinster House. The speaker who replied said they would address the Minister involved and return with a direct response.
Report findings
The speech recalled Dr Shannon's report, published almost two years ago, which the speaker described as harrowing reading. The report found that a culture had facilitated the potential grooming of children and that the organisation had failed to intervene despite knowing that the boys were at risk; it concluded the organisation had failed to act against the perpetrator for years despite a significant degree of organisational awareness of the risk he posed.
Survivors and advocacy
The speaker referenced survivors who have campaigned and spoken out and named Mick Finnegan as a prominent advocate. He noted that survivors have received an apology but, in his words, have not received any accountability for how the abuse was allowed to continue.
Call for a public inquiry
Paul Murphy asked directly whether the government will grant a public inquiry to establish how the failings occurred, how the abuse was able to continue for so long, and to ensure it cannot be repeated. He framed the inquiry request as necessary to secure accountability and prevent future harm.
Government response in the chamber
A response in the chamber thanked Deputy Murphy for raising the issue and praised Mick Finnegan's advocacy, noting his visits to Leinster House. The speaker who replied said they would address the Minister involved and return with a direct response.
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Transcript
It's almost two years since the publication of Dr Shannon's report into sex abuse of children at St John Ambulance. The report makes for harrowing reading. The report found that a culture had facilitated the potential grooming of children and that the organisation had failed to intervene despite knowing that the boys were at risk of abuse. He concluded that the organisation had failed to act against the perpetrator for years despite, quote, a significant degree of organisational awareness of the risk that he posed to children. Survivors who have bravely campaigned and spoken out about this and pushed for the report, including Mick Finnegan, they have an apology but they have no accountability. There's been no accountability whatsoever. They are calling now for a public inquiry into how this happened, how it was able to go on for so long to ensure that it cannot be repeated. Will the government grant it an inquiry? I want to thank Deputy Murphy for raising the issue. I want to thank Mick Finnegan for his incredible advocacy in relation to this. He's somebody who's been into Leinster House on many occasions through his advocacy and I want to sincerely thank him for that. Let me in the first instance speak directly to the Minister involved and I'll come back to you directly. Thank you.