Refusal to hold inquiry into St John Ambulance abuse 'absolutely devastating', says senator

A 2023 report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon into St John Ambulance found that dozens of young boys had been abused while volunteering there. Nobody has ever been held accountable for the abuse. File photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

A senator has expressed concern that the minister for children is not going to hold a public inquiry into "serial and systematic abuse" on young boys in St John Ambulance.

Tom Clonan asked in the Seanad for an opportunity to address minister Norma Foley on the matter given the Seanad had unanimously voted for an investigation into the charity two years ago.