Multiple cases of child sexual abuse reported to Garda at St John Ambulance – The Irish Times

Multiple cases of children allegedly sexually abused by a former senior St John Ambulance The abuse was reported to the Garda, allegedly occurring over a thirty-year period.

A total of eight criminal complaints have been made to Gardaí alleging that a long-term volunteer at a first aid organization was sexually abused. However, on a few separate occasions Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) decided not to charge the man.

A major independent report by Mr Justice Geoffrey Shannon last year revealed the past culture at St John Ambulance “made it easier” to care for children. Between the early 1960s and the late 1990s, at least 16 boys were allegedly sexually abused by the former senior figure at the organisation’s Old Kilmainham chapter in Dublin. The report said St John Ambulance failed to take action against the man for years despite having “significant institutional awareness” of the risk he posed to children.

The man, now in his late 80s, was first reported to gardaí two decades ago. Gardaí launched an investigation and referred a file to the DPP, who chose not to proceed with the case. Seven more people have since filed criminal charges against the same man; Most of them came after this detailed report from The Irish Times: Historical sexual abuse in voluntary organization.

Following Garda investigations the DPP concluded that they did not believe prosecutions should be brought in five cases. A spokesman for the DPP said the office had no comment on its decisions.

Another case is currently being reviewed by prosecutors regarding allegations of abuse that allegedly occurred in the 1970s. There are active Garda investigations into two other complaints and both of these are being concluded with files expected to be submitted to the DPP shortly.

Child and family charity Tusla has previously acknowledged that allegations of abuse against the former volunteer made by two survivors were “established”. The investigation by social workers revealed the finding on the balance of probabilities, which was a lower bar of proof than needed in a criminal case.

“In terms of the allegations made against us, I think we are talking about the disturbing periods from 1968 to 2001,” Det Supt Ian Lackey said.

Det Supt Lackey, of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, a specialist unit that investigates sexual offences, said it was likely there were “far more” survivors than the eight who were charged.

The senior detective said the abuse was often alleged to have occurred during activities where the volunteer was the adult in charge of the children and provided first aid services. This, he said, gave the alleged perpetrator the ability to isolate children.

Despite internal suspicions at St John Ambulance in the 1990s, the former senior figure was only sacked around 2000 or 2001 when one of the survivors reported being sexually abused by the man.

“These criminals find a way to gain people’s trust, including the trust of families. If we look at the swimming coaches… they were people in positions of trust and the parents assumed everything was fine,” Det Supt Lackey said.

Investigating gardaí are now appealing for other survivors of sexual abuse at St John Ambulance to come forward. “Just to talk to us; Det Supt Lackey said coming forward was not an obligation to go to court.

It is often the case that survivors of childhood abuse bury what happened to them for years. “There are people who have kept this secret for maybe 30 or 40 years… In some cases, they haven’t told their own families,” he said. “I believe there are other victims and survivors out there and I encourage people to come forward.”

Others within the organization who may have voluntarily witnessed something may also assist Garda investigations. “People need to contact us if they have any information. Because they may think any little bit of information is insignificant, but it could help launch another investigation. It could be that little missing piece of the puzzle,” he said.

Investigations into historical abuse can be challenged by the passage of time, the survival of paper records, and the advancing age of perpetrators. “While most victims have a clear memory of what happened, others may have witnesses but people may not,” Det Supt Lackey said.

There had been a “major shift” in how gardaí investigate cases of sexual abuse in recent years, Det Supt Lackey said, which he said was long overdue.

“It would be fair to say that before this people would have access to a range of services when they went to any Garda station,” he said. “There is certainly more expertise and more consistency in investigating these types of crimes now…It used to be that this was not a priority for the organization or the community.”

Anyone wishing to contact the Garda regarding past abuse at St John Ambulance can call the Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222 or the Garda National Protective Services Bureau on 01 6663430.