THREE DECADES SINCE FIRST ALLEGATION

1985

The St John of God Order receives a complaint relating to allegations of child sexual abuse allegations involving ‘Brother D’. In subsequent years, Brother D is the subject of more than a dozen further child abuse complaints.

1997

Following another complaint against Brother D, St John of God provincial Brother Fintan Whitmore forbids him from having contact with children – but leaves him in a prominent role with responsibility over a service that included children’s services.

2004

Brother Whitmore tells a hearing of the Child Abuse Commission that no one at St John of God can recall any complaints before 1996 and that there are no records to show otherwise. He also says he’s reviewed the files and can find no evidence to prove any abuse by any members of the order.

2009

The Child Abuse Commission report is published. Though it does not feature in the report at all, the St John of God order pays €1m to the Redress Board to secure indemnity from the costs of any abuse settlements.

2012

The St John of God order – now led by a new provincial – initiates an internal review of its handling of child abuse allegations. This prompts the order to report the 1985 child sexual abuse complaint to the Garda Síochana and the HSE – 27 years late. The internal review remains secret.

2015

The St John of God order invites the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland to review its child

safeguarding practices. This review criticises the manner in which allegations against Brother D were handled. It also identifies 97 separate allegations against 24 St John of God brothers.

2016

Brother Whitmore is appointed acting CEO of St John of God Community Services when CEO John Pepper goes on extended sick leave as the group is rocked by a series of scandals, including the revelation of millions paid in secret top-ups to managers amid savage cuts to care services.

2017

Health standards watchdog HIQA threatens to close several St John of God facilities after a string of damning inspections finds vulnerable, intellectually disabled residents are being left at risk of violence and abuse because of continuing management and governance failures. This week: In a statement to the MoS the St John of God order says it is ‘committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.’