Retired Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin expressed his shock at the extent of child abuse in special schools, as revealed in a recent scoping inquiry report. He emphasized the need for criminal prosecutions, victim compensation, and a public figure to champion the cause of survivors facing legal obstacles.
Dr. Martin also highlighted the importance of a safe environment for survivors to come forward and share their experiences, citing the bravery of individuals like Louise O’Keefe. He acknowledged the failures of the past, where abuse allegations were ignored, and stressed the need for improved safeguarding measures to protect children.
The retired archbishop recalled his own distress when confronted with files detailing past abuse cases, noting the prevalence of incidents from the 1970s to the 1990s. Despite progress in implementing norms within the church, Dr. Martin acknowledged the ongoing risk of abuse and called for continued vigilance.
Ultimately, he emphasized that vigilance and safeguarding efforts are crucial to preventing future cases of abuse and protecting vulnerable children.