Case for inquiry into abuse is overwhelming

THE comforting notion that the dark stain of wide-scale child abuse had been erased in this country after the grim secrets of the Church were confronted and its heavy cloak of secrecy torn away was always an illusion. The revelation that what is feared to be the biggest investigation into child sex abuse in the history of this country is currently under way ought to remind us of the grim truth that terrible as the scale of clerical child sex exploitation was, and however inexcusable the cover up, experience shows that the majority of perpetrators are still more likely to be relatives of the survivor.

The alleged scale of the paedophile ring is alarming, the potential for harm is catastrophic.

Answers must be found as to how some 20 children could have been involved – if the revelations reported in the Dáil are accurate.

With so many affected it is critical that all agencies of the State with a responsibility to protect children are properly resourced, and up to the task.

Yesterday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Crimes of a sexual nature against a child are the most heinous.” The gravity of the case is such that both Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone have been briefed on the situation.

The argument for an official inquiry as mooted by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is already overwhelming. Every possible sinew of the State must always be flexed for the protection of our children.

Disclosure often comes with a shock, but it is never as harmful or dangerous as concealment. If bitter experience has taught us anything, it is that while violators cannot live with the truth, survivors cannot live without it.