Taoiseach says Government determined to make religious orders pay compensation over abuse in schools
It follows a scoping inquiry which heard 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all areas of the country.
Micheál Martin said accounting and structuring issues - which often put assets, cash and property beyond reach - are being examined "in considerable detail'.
The Attorney General is also scrutinising legal levers, "with a view to enabling Government to have the powers ultimately to deal with those particular mechanisms," he said.
These could be used "to make sure that we can ensure that financial capacity is retained in the country and made available to provide compensation," Mr Martin said, answering Labour leader Ivana Bacik.
In the late 1990s, the State had amended the Statute of Limitations on a related issue, "but more is needed, and hat's acknowledged," he said.
"Some of the accounts in the scoping inquiry were quite horrific, but many survivors ere very clear that they wanted those who were responsible to be accountable and to contribute,' he said.
Ms Bacik said religious orders had for years been carrying out "a perfectly legal practice of transferring their assets and their property'.
She said it was "the developer's wife syndrome", that puts assets out of reach, "and it's not acceptable."
As of last September, religious orders have paid only 16pc of institutional redress costs that were owed, she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We know the money is there. Religious orders involved in historic abuse, sold more than 75 properties worth a total of over €90 million since 2016,' Ms Bacik said.
"We know these orders and their associated trusts own vast quantities of property and assets around the State."
Ms McEntee has meanwhile pledged that the new schools sex abuse inquiry will not involve endless extensions and runaway costs.
"I do believe we are learning," the Minister said, when asked about the Farrelly report into the Grace case, which is set to top a taxpayer cost of €20 million and which ran to eight years with repeated extensions - only to deliver a report of 2,000 pages, with no executive summary, as Minister Norma Foley had requested.
Ms McEntee claimed that religious orders would contribute to the vital element of redress - despite the failure of religious orders to live up to their responsibilities for a quarter of a century now.
She offered no ceiling for compensation payments, or any minimums for church contributions, but said the Government would be looking to identify assets held by religious organisations.
The minister was vague, however, about forcing redress, declining to refer to sequestration or seizure of assets - which the Attorney General has been asked to study by Ms Foley.
She said only that the Attorney General had been involved in drawing up the terms of reference and guidance - which sets a limit of five years for the project, with a requirement for an interim report after two years. Mr Justice Michael McGrath will chair the commission.
Ms McEntee said she wanted to thank every single survivor for their bravery in coming forward, acknowledging the late Mark Ryan and his brother David, "who were absolutely instrumental."
The findings of the scoping inquiry were "nothing short of devastating," she said.
"What is clear is that survivors want accountability.
"They deserve accountability, and that is why I am announcing the establishment of a Commission for Investigation."
The inquiry will begin this work "in the coming months," she said, beginning with a survey of survivors that will be oriented towards their needs.
The chair will be assisted by two commissioners who will look at the handling of sex abuse claims in both religious and State schools, while engaging with survivors.
The latter taking of evidence will be "anonymised, non-adversaral and with no cross-examiniation," the Minister insisted, adding that it would involve a sampling approach.
The terms of reference were set out "to ensure that we do not go over time", she said, but the redress would be a "significant amount," she said.
Ms McEntee added: "We are talking in the tens of millions."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
21 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man pleads guilty to killing bride-to-be in crash on day she shopped for dress
A man has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of a young woman in Lifford in 2021 - hours after she had been 'window shopping' for wedding dresses. Sean Connaughton appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to a single charge arising out of a hit-and-run incident at Townparks, Lifford, Donegal on July 11, 2021. Ms Laura Connolly, a 34-year-old pedestrian, was taken from the scene to University Hospital Letterkenny, where she was later pronounced dead. Ms Connolly had been earlier shopping for a wedding dress with friends as she had been due to marry her partner, Joe McCullagh, in 2022. Father-of-two Connaughton, a native of Donegal but with an address in Co Louth, spoke only to plead guilty when he appeared in court. The charge is contrary to section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act. A number of members of the late Ms Connolly's family were present in court for the brief hearing at Letterkenny courthouse. Barrister for Connaughton, Mr Peter Nolan, led by Mr Colm Smyth SC, and instructed by solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian, said other matters will be dealt with in due course. He said his client has now been on bail for four years and has complied with all bail conditions to date. He told Judge Roderick Maguire that apart from one road traffic matter some time ago, his client had no previous convictions. Mr Nolan said he was anxious that a probation and welfare report be obtained for his client. He said he appreciated all that Ms Connolly's family had been through but added that his client had also been suffering from great stress and anxiety since the incident. Mr Nolan asked for a psychiatric report and also a GP's report to allow for medication for various other matters. Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, said there was no objection to Connaughton being granted bail. Judge Maguire said he would adjourn the case until the October sessions of the circuit court for sentencing but warned that due to great pressure on the Probation Services, a report may not be ready by then. If that is the case, he informed the Connolly family that sentencing may regrettably have to be adjourned until February, 2026. Judge Maguire also offered his sympathies to members of the Connolly family in court. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Taoiseach turned tables on the Opposition when they least expected it with moment of clarity
Danger here! It can be all too easy to have a little slip and fall – a minor trip-up out of the blue – and then everything blows up, the claims start flying and life becomes much more difficult than it should be. Take the Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless , who was bowling along merrily on the lunchtime news last Sunday week when he responded to a question about third-level fees. He said they will definitely go up by €1,000 this year, although the Budget will probably mitigate the worst of the increase but he couldn't promise anything because 'it's a matter for the finance ministers more so than myself, but, you know, that is what's coming'. Or the Minister for Housing before that, talking on radio about setting up a dedicated Housing Activation brigade and unexpectedly naming the lavishly remunerated housing tsar he wants to lead it – much to the surprise of the coalition partners he failed to inform. READ MORE The candid on-air musings of James Browne , the Minister for Gaffs, landed the Government in hot water for weeks. But in a rare outbreak of good fortune for Browne, Lawless's forthright radio performance has taken the unwelcome spotlight off his department for the past couple of weeks. The cost of these trips and slips is borne by the Government, drawing heavy Opposition fire and undermining public confidence in its work. It can't afford mishaps and mixed messages on the highly contentious housing crisis. It can do without people being upset over fears of major hikes in undergraduate fees. And there was every possibility of a triple whammy of unfortunate incidents this week. Given the Coalition's flair for walking itself into trouble and then explaining itself into further bother, the Opposition will have been looking forward to ending the first session of the 34th Dáil with a chance to monster Micheál Martin again over another subject close to the heart of the voting public: high insurance costs and the compo-claims culture. This one has been simmering since the Judicial Council proposed increasing personal injury awards by almost 17 per cent. The committee of judges has to review award guidelines every three years and their latest benchmark was adjusted in line with inflation. [ Student fee increase an 'additional strain' for those with multiple children in college Opens in new window ] However, the new compo levels must be approved by the Oireachtas before they can be legally applied. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, who is a senior counsel, was charged with bringing forward the proposals delivered by the judges of Ireland. The new award levels were immediately denounced by business and consumer groups as a major payday for lawyers that would force up insurance premiums for everyone else. It had been widely expected that Big Jim would bring forward the new guidelines to be rubber-stamped in the Dáil. But nothing much was happening on that front. Some suspected the Government might lash them through out of embarrassment at the last minute before the summer recess. [ Mary Lou seemed to have an extra pep to her step. Was that a Statement Jacket? Opens in new window ] As with the fees situation and, God help us, the housing crisis, this proposal to increase the size of injury awards is not straightforward. A Supreme Court judgment is involved for starters. The judges can decide to pump up the guidelines to any level they wish, but the Dáil and Seanad must give them the green light first. Even if they were only factoring in inflation, deputies would be hearing complaints on the doorsteps. What government would want to claim the credit for actively pushing through legislation to give even bigger court awards to people with interesting personal injury claims, shockingly entertaining as the newspaper accounts of some of them might be? What government would go out of its way to pass a law that would jack up people's insurance premiums? Fair play to Jim O'Callaghan. At least he didn't end up on the radio trying to explain the legislation or go down a blind alley defending insurance companies or regretfully warn cheesed off householders to expect a hike in their premiums. By Wednesday, when it was still expected that the Government would eventually recommend the increases, the Taoiseach astounded the Dáil by responding to questions about them with, with . . . with clarity? It was a bit of a shocker, really. It looked like Cian O'Callaghan , acting leader of the Social Democrats, was on a winner when he began by asking: 'Taoiseach, what is the Government at when it comes to personal injury awards?' We've been hearing for weeks now about the Minister bringing the judges' proposal for a 17 per cent increase before cabinet, said Cian. First it was reported that he wanted to nod it through and a memo would go to Cabinet last week. Then it was going to come up yesterday, only it didn't. Now, it's apparently coming up next week. 'Can you tell us what is going on?' An increase of this magnitude would be 'absolutely disastrous' said the TD for Dublin Bay North. 'The fact that the Government is even considering this is reckless.' He was pushing an open door here. With a fair wind and the usual waffling, the Opposition would have all next week to follow him through it. Awards here are already much higher than in other countries and more than four times greater than in the UK. And now we hear the Government wants to jack them up even further? Just think of the knock-on effect this will have on insurance premiums and on households, small businesses, community groups, voluntary groups, sporting organisations . . .' People are already struggling to make ends meet. Reduce the size of awards, don't increase them, urged Cian. 'Government dithering is causing huge concern.' Given that none of its members have been able to say for the past two weeks whether students will face a €2,000 or €3,000 contribution fee in September, it is understandable that Cian didn't sound too optimistic when pleading with the Taoiseach 'to level with us and give a straight answer' on personal injury awards. Still, game to the end, he asked Micheál to give 'a commitment' that they will not be increased. The Taoiseach launched into a long, convoluted reply. There was much emphasis on the Supreme Court ruling — 'four to three majority ruling, which was tight'— and his belief in the separation of powers and 'absolute' resolve to observe it. On and on until the very end when he talked about bringing 'a bit of realism and clarity' to the debate. That raised some wry smiles among the Opposition— it was a bit rich hearing that from Micheál. He thinks there is a need for a review of the Judicial Council Act 2019 and Big Jim is going to do it. 'But the Minister will also bring a memo to Government which will lay the guidelines before the Houses. But he won't be bringing a resolution seeking their approval,' said Micheál. He paused for effect so the import of what he had just said would sink in. Sounding only mildly triumphant, he added: 'So don't believe everything in the newspapers.' Oh. A proper answer. That wasn't in the script. It usually isn't. The acting Soc Dem leader rose to reply. 'So, I – I'm – the – Taoiseach is clarifying that there won't be an increase of 17 per cent. You're giving that commitment to the Dáil; you will not be putting forward an increase of 17 per cent. 'So I welcome that, I welcome that if that's the case, Taoiseach. Awards here are four times higher than in the UK so that would be a regressive move, so if you're not doing that, that is welcome . . .' The wind was gone from Cian's sails. Micheál was quietly content. And Big Jim would not be adding to the Government's embarrassment of glitches.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Quantity surveyor pleads guilty to assaulting young woman almost 10 years ago
A Co Donegal man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a young woman causing her harm in Letterkenny. Quantity surveyor Seamus Cooley appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to assaulting Shanan Reid McDaid and causing her harm on October 15, 2017 at Castle Street in Letterkenny. The 50-year-old, who is originally from Buncrana, had been in custody in Castlerea Prison since June 20 for breaching his previous bail conditions. Ms Reid McDaid was not present as the court was told that she is currently living in Australia. At the time of the assault Ms Reid McDaid was 18 years old and a third level student. The accused man, wearing a striped shirt and jeans, spoke only to plead guilty to the charge when it was read to him by the court registrar. Cooley was remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison since June 20th after being found to have breached conditions of his bail when he appeared at Cavan District Court. A fresh application was made at Letterkenny Circuit Court for bail but was refused by Judge Roderick Maguire. His barrister, Mr Feargal Kavanagh, SC, told the court that his client's sister, Ms Sinead Moore, would provide a €1,000 surety and said Cooley was willing to tender €10,000 compensation to the victim. Mr Kavanagh, with Mr Pat Sullivan, BL, said Cooley has spent 21 days in a 'grossly overcrowded' prison and is finally facing up to the charge referring to cramped conditions in the prison of up to three prisoners in one cell. Mr Kavanagh asked that legal aid be extended to cover a psychiatric assessment and report on Cooley. He said that Cooley is not a flight risk and needs 'immediate intervention:' Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, said that Cooley has already taken a bench warrant in this and that there have been two applications previously for the revocation of bail. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week In remanding Cooley in custody at Cavan Circuit Court, Judge John Aylmer said that the accused had 'displayed arrogance' and showed a 'flagrant disregard' for bail conditions previously set by the court. Under the terms of his bail, Cooley was due to sign-on three times a week at Buncrana Garda Station, but he had only an 82% adherence. Cooley told the Gardai that he was happy with the amount of times he was signing on and that he was happy to sign on when it suited him. He told Gardai that he started working throughout the country and it 'didn't suit him some days' to sign on. Before Judge Maguire, Mr Kavanagh said Cooley now requires professional intervention and that he has had difficulty facing up to the issues. Mr Kavanagh told the court that there have been a number of legal teams involved in managing his case. 'He seems to be finally in a position where he is facing up to this issue,' Mr Kavanagh said, 'Putting him into a prison cell with three others and hoping to advance matters is not going to serve justice. He is five years facing trial and the stresses of that alone are not doing him any favours.' Ms Crawford pointed out that, having pleaded guilty, Cooley no longer enjoys the presumption of innocence. Mr Kavanagh said his client has turned up on each and every occasion to court and said he was concerned that Cooley's mental health could deteriorate. Judge Maguire noted that an affidavit of Garda Neil Kemmy shared three breaches: he was not inhabiting an address given to Gardai; he was not signing on as required; and he interacted with the complainant. Ms Moore told Judge Maguire that her brother previously attended a psychotherapist and believed that he would again benefit from mental health intervention. She said she would 'do my absolute best' to be on her brother's case on a daily basis to ensure that he abided by the terms of his bail. Ms Moore told the court that she had not had much interaction with her brother recently, but added: 'I will be involved now. I really will.' Mr Kavanagh said he was anxious that the State did not victimise Cooley by incarcerating him. 'He knows what he is facing,' Mr Kavanagh said. 'It will make things far more difficult to do justice if he is incarcerated.' He said that Cooley's guilty plea has avoided a four-five day trial and asked Judge Murphy to impose conditions, accept the surety and allow Cooley to engage with services. Judge Maguire extended legal aid to cover a psychiatrist consultation and report, but given the history in the matter - noting that Cooley was given a chance to adhere to conditions, but then breached them - he said he would not grant bail. Cooley was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in October.
