Chief scout goes over bungled rape probe

As Minister Zappone says more revelations to come

THE head of Scouting Ireland has stepped aside pending an independent investigation on how volunteers handled a 2016 rape allegation.

Christy McCann said he informed the board that he is ‘temporarily’ stepping down as chief scout.

The case involved an alleged assault on a female volunteer by a male volunteer.

And last night, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone suggested that more revelations were to come and that she had new information.

‘I’ve received other confidential correspondence from individuals in Scouting Ireland about additional matters of grave and serious concern. I will raise these Stepping aside: Christy McCann issues with Scouting Ireland,’ she told the Dáil.

She earlier informed Scouting Ireland that she would be suspending its nearly €1million a year in funding in response to findings by a safeguarding expert, who carried out a review into the case at the centre of the controversy.

Ms Zappone told the Dáil yesterday: ‘In view of this I decided to withhold any further draw down of funding to Scouting Ireland until such time as I can be satisfied that the organisation’s governance standards are up to the required level. As of now I am not satisfied. And I have a responsibility to children and I have a responsibility for the use of public monies.’

Stepping down, Mr McCann said in a statement: ‘I believe it is in the best interests of our organisation that I do so in order to give adequate time to bring our investigation to a conclusion. As chief scout and as a co-respondent in the process currently underway, I believe my standing aside is the right thing to do and will help ensure the current process is allowed to continue without delay and further distraction.’

Ms Zappone said yesterday: ‘I have been informed that the chief scout will be stepping aside from this evening, pending the completion of the independent investigation and the treasurer will serve as acting chair of the board in his absence.’

Child protection expert Ian Elliott led a confidential review of the 2016 complaint, in which he criticised how the allegations were handled by four senior scouts. Mr Elliot said there was a blatant disregard for safeguarding policies. Scouting Ireland has appointed a barrister to conduct an investigation into its handling of the case.

‘As of now I am not satisfied’