Ferns Inquiry set to hear testimony from abuse victims

AN inquiry team investigating how a Wexford diocese handled suspicions, rumours and confirmed cases of clerical sexual abuse will begin hearing victims’ testimony on Monday.

As the suggested cut-off date for submissions to the Ferns inquiry was extended yesterday, inquiry secretary, Marian Shanley, said the difficulties being experienced by those involved in the Laffoy Commission has spurred them to make their non-statutory inquiry work even more efficiently.

“We are a very different type of organisation to the Laffoy Commission. The problems there have not impacted on us. What it has done though is give us the impetus to really make our probe work,” she said.

The inquiry secretary declined to reveal just how many written submissions it received. But she said the team was still very anxious to hear from anyone, by phone or by written submission, who has an input to make. Another advertisement inviting submissions should appear in the local and national press mid-way through next week.

It is not known how many people will go through such a process, but it could more than 40. Former Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, who resigned following a BBC documentary into how abuse was handled in the diocese, is not expected to give testimony until well after Christmas.

To date, nobody has refused to co-operate in any way. “We’ve had no reason to refer back to the minister yet. This is a non-statutory inquiry, but the terms of reference indicate that if there is non-co-operation, or even a hint of non-co-operation, the Minister for Health will give us statutory powers”, Ms Shanley said.

Abuse survivor and director of the support organisation, OneinFour, Colm O’Gorman, said it was critical that anyone with information which would help the inquiry should come forward.

Even those who gave information to George Birmingham, senior counsel, in his initial investigation, should still contact the inquiry.

“A number of new people have also contacted us and we would urge people out there with information to either contact the inquiry directly or contact us. It is critical that we make this a final and effective inquiry.

“What we would appeal for is that the anonymity of those who will be giving testimony from Monday would be respected,” Mr O’Gorman said.