LIMERICK Fine Gael TD Tom Neville has said he was shocked when he and members of the Children’s and Youth Affairs committee were told that a review of historical abuse in Scouting Ireland found 71 alleged abusers and 108 victims.
Details of the review were given to the joint Oireachtas Committee this Wednesday when safeguarding consultant Ian Elliott found evidence of the abuse in Scouting Ireland in the 1960s and 80s.
Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone told the Committee that Mr Elliot has been examining the historical records and found evidence of 71 alleged abusers and 108 alleged victims.
Deputy Neville said that he welcomed the fact that this information has been found and that it is coming out.
“I don’t welcome the fact that it actually happened,” he added.
The Limerick TD said that it was important that the truth emerged as a result of this review to ensure it did not happen again.
The review found that none of the alleged abusers are still working in Scouting Ireland and reports have been made to Tusla and the Gardaí in respect of the alleged abusers still alive.
Minister Zappone said that she wanted to reassure parents that all the actions she is taking stem from bad governance and are in no way connected to the fantastic work that is being carried out by groups and volunteers around the country.
Scouting Ireland, she added, is committed to compliance with the highest possible level of safeguarding standards and acknowledged that it was a very difficult time for the organisation and that she would discuss the matter with the newly appointed board.
In his finding, Mr Elliott said that he found 14 alleged abusers had multiple victims and that he was of the belief that the figure of 108 victims would not be the final number.
Deputy Neville and his fellow members of the Oireachtas Committee heard that as a result of the review process there was an increasing number of alleged victims talking to the child abuse review team because they had confidence in the process.
Mr Ellliott added that the majority of perpetrators are deceased and for any of those still alive, reports have been given to the relevant authorities.
