PATSY MCGARRY AND CAROL COULTER
THE DUBLIN commission came about because of the RTÉ Prime Time programme Cardinal Secrets , broadcast in October 2002. Produced by Mary Raftery, with Mick Peelo reporting, it investigated the handling of clerical child sex abuse allegations in Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese.
The then minister for justice, Michael McDowell, said he was “very alarmed” by the programme, which he found “deeply disturbing”. It led to the Commission of Investigation Act 2004, which allowed for the setting up of a type of inquiry which was more cost-effective and efficient than a tribunal.
Under that Act the Commission of Investigation, Dublin Archdiocese was set up in March 2006, with a brief to report within 18 months. Chaired by Ms Justice Yvonne Murphy (left), assisted by barrister Ita Mangan and solicitor Hugh O’Neill, it was to investigate the handling of allegations of clerical child sex abuse in Dublin’s Catholic archdiocese by church and State authorities covering the period January 1st, 1975 to April 30th, 2004 (when Cardinal Connell stepped down as Archbishop of Dublin).
The commission’s work was done in private with confidentiality expected from and assured for participants.
Continue reading »
