Ferns Inquiry to examine call to victim

AN inquiry set up to investigate clerical sexual abuse in a Wexford diocese is to examine an approach made to a victim by a representative of the Bishop’s office on Tuesday.

One of the support groups which played a central role in the setting up of the non-statutory inquiry says the approach was totally contrary to the spirit of the probe.

Abuse victim, Colm O’Gorman, of OneinFour says it may now be time re-examine the non-statutory nature of Ferns Inquiry, given the approach at this early stage by the very diocese at the centre of the probe. A spokesman for the Bishop said the phone call was made in good faith.

The victim was contacted by phone at his workplace by an employee of the Diocese on Tuesday, telling him that an advert had appeared in the papers the same day, looking for submissions from victims. He was also informed he should make his submission by September 12.

The man has refused to meet with the Bishop in the past and can’t recall giving his ex-directory work number to any cleric or representative from the Diocese. He immediately contacted the OneinFour support group for victims of abuse to highlight his distress over the call.

It also emerged last night that the victim received a letter yesterday from the support person for victims of abuse, Sr Helen O’Riordan. In the letter, she outlines the terms of the inquiry and says: “If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to get a response for you.”

The Department of Health, which set up the probe, said it was concerned by the approach. It said it should not have happened and said it would have to be examined.

Last night, secretary to the Ferns Inquiry, Marian Shanley, said the matter would have to be investigated. “Certainly, if something has caused distress to a complainant, we will have to look into it.

“We are more than anxious that any procedure adopted on foot of our advertisement in the papers would be in line with the terms of reference of the inquiry. We are concerned by this. We knew that there might be issues like this which would arise and this will be examined,” she added.

She also stressed that September 12 was not a deadline for submissions. It was merely a guideline which had been set to allow all submissions to be perused with the necessary care and attention.

Ferns diocesan spokesman, Fr John Carroll, said the diocese has a stated policy of being available to victims or alleged victims of clerical child sexual abuse. “In the course of such meetings, specific requests were received by diocesan representatives that should details of the Murphy inquiry appear in the media that they might be forwarded as a matter of courtesy to the persons concerned by the diocese.

“Each person who was contacted by the diocese with such details was contacted in a manner which was previously agreed,” he added.