Pat Carey: Abuse claims ‘unfounded’

Former minister Pat Carey has stepped down as Fianna Fáil’s director of elections, saying he does not know if he is the minister at the centre of a Garda investigation into alleged child abuse claims.

Following days of speculation, Mr Carey broke his silence on the issue but insisted that he had no knowledge of the complaints made and that he absolutely denied any impropriety.

In a statement issued though his solicitors, the former TD said he was “deeply upset” to have been contacted in recent days about the claims, but that he would also step down from his public roles.

The allegations relate to alleged historical cases of child abuse, thought to date back to the 1980s and 1990s, before Mr Carey entered government.

It is understood that a woman made a statement at a Garda station in recent months and that, at some stage, that complaint was referred to a national unit specialising in investigating alleged abuses, including historical ones.

Fianna Fáil has been left stunned by the claims, which have been circulating in Leinster House this week. Individual members declined to comment last night when contacted.

Mr Carey’s statement insisted that he had “no knowledge of the actual complaints allegedly made”. Mr Carey, it said, also “absolutely and unconditionally denies any impropriety in this matter or in his 30 years’ experience as a teacher, as a community worker and in his public life”.

The former government chief whip said that he was “distraught” to first learn of these matters on the front page of a newspaper in recent days.

The statement added:

“Mr Carey is a respected person and entitled to his good name. However, in order to allow the good work of the organisations that he is involved in to continue without controversy or distraction he will step aside from all such roles to allow any investigation to take place.”

Given the unfounded speculation, the statement said, Mr Carey has also decided to step down from his public roles with communities and through the Church. He was taking this action of “his own volition and with a heavy heart”, it added.

In a brief statement, Fianna Fáil said Mr Carey had outlined his reasons for stepping down.

The Irish Red Cross, of which Mr Carey was made a chairman last May, did not comment last night.

There was widespread shock when the allegations emerged, as the long-time politician is widely respected in political circles and the public.

Last night, Fr Tony Flannery of the Association of Catholic Priests tweeted: “Feel really sorry for Pat Carey. Terribly unjust process. How can the man ever get his good name back, if he is innocent. Impossible.”

Over almost a quarter of a century in politics, Mr Carey served as local councillor, minister, government chief whip, and most recently was appointed as director of elections for Fianna Fáil.

However, it was his central involvement in the Marriage Equality Bill that drew public attention and praise when he came out as a gay man.

He said it had taken him 65 years to “pluck up the courage and confidence” to speak about his sexuality.

Marriage equality will officially come into law after the weekend.

Gardaí have said they will not approach Mr Carey formally until they have finished the first phase of their investigation. Garda sources last night said the status of the investigation had not changed.

When contacted by the Irish Examiner this week, Mr Carey said he had not been contacted by gardaí in relation to the allegations.