Gardaí are urged to investigate ‘massive cover-up’
VICTIMS of the Scouting Ireland abuse scandal have called for formal inquiries into the cover-up of widespread sexual abuse of children within the organisation.
A damning report has revealed how a system of cronyism allowed predators to protect one another while also being shielded by members not involved in the abuse.
A number of paedophiles have been jailed as part of investigations into the historic cases but the victims believe those who were complicit in covering up the scandal should also be brought to justice.
Paul O’Toole, who was molested by scout leader David O’Brien in the 1970s, is calling on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to set up a criminal probe into the widespread abuse and cover-up.
His abuser was jailed in 2015 and separately last year for indecently assaulting scout members, and has admitted to abusing up to 40 children.
Mr O’Toole told the
Irish Independent: “[The report] was non-statutory, everyone volunteered to give information and could choose not to give information.
“They made up their own minds beforehand on what information they’d give.
“We’re pushing for a police inquiry and we’re going to write to the Garda Commissioner and the Justice Minister.
“It’s a cover-up and we want criminal charges for that. They said the basis of it was for learning and how to do it differently. You don’t need to learn how not to abuse kids.”
Robert Keogh, who was just seven when he was abused by O’Brien, has called for a formal inquiry into what he described as a “massive cover-up”.
“I want a public inquiry into it, it’s as I’ve always said, a massive cover-up.
“You have O’Brien who was abusing children and this was known and he was moved.”