Children's minister calls for investigation into Athlone case

The Children's Minister has asked the HSE to investigate the case of a department head at the Athlone Institute of Technology who resigned last week.

Dr Niall McElwee informed the college he had been convicted of a sex offence in the Netherlands in 2005.

The minister's request comes after news that the Gardaí told the Midland Health Board about allegations of sexual assault involving Dr McElwee, the Director of the Centre for Child and Youth Care at AIT, as far back as June 2004.

Doctor McElwee, a specialist in childcare and drug and alcohol abuse, travelled to the Netherlands in June 2004 as part of a group organised by the Midland Health Board.

He was arrested after allegations of a sexual assault were made against him.

A garda statement issued this afternoon confirms that a garda sergeant was also on that visit and although he was not present when the incident took place, he assisted local police in their investigation.

Upon his return to Ireland, a meeting took place between Gardaí and the Health Board to discuss the events.

Athlone Institute of Technology has said it was not aware of Dr McElwee's conviction until last week.

The Children's Minister Brendan Smith is now asking the Health Service Executive to investigate the matter and report to him urgently.