by Alan Jacques
FIANNA Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins has called on Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, to explain his failure to alert Gardaí that a self-confessed multiple sex abuser was at large.
In the wake of fresh claims about abuse in the Republican movement and how it was dealt with, Deputy Collins believes that an independent statutory inquiry is the only appropriate means of establishing the truth behind the claims.
Louth man Paudie McGahon told the BBC’s ‘Spotlight’ investigations team that he was raped by an IRA man and he brought this to the attention of Sinn Féin councillor Pearse McGeough in 2002.
“The question remains why no one from the Sinn Féin party, from its leader down, thought it appropriate to inform the Gardaí themselves that a self-confessed multiple abuser was at large and at liberty to re-offend?,” he asked.
“It is increasingly clear that Sinn Féin will not give an honest account of this issue themselves, so they must be compelled to do so. For that reason Fianna Fáil believes that a statutory inquiry is the only appropriate next step.”
Sinn Fein leader on Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Maurice Quinlivan, said that his party’s priority was to support victims, be the abuse historical or otherwise. He told the Limerick Post that no one should be afraid to come forward and all who do will have Sinn Féin’s full support.
“We would appeal to anyone with information to come forward to the Gardaí without delay,” he said.
“We have no reason to disbelieve Paudie McGahon that he was abused and that there was an IRA inquiry into the matter. It was wrong and should not have happened. Sinn Féin does not conduct internal investigations into allegations of abuse, we are not capable of such matters and to do so risks further harming the victim and the chances of the successful conviction of abusers”, Cllr Quinlivan added.
