Department accused of 'institutional gaslighting' over abuse survivor supports

Children's minister Norma Foley has told the 'Irish Examiner' she is not going to hold a public tribunal into St John’s Ambulance and, instead, is engaging with the charity about supports for survivors. File Picture: Julien Behal Photography

A whistleblower who reported child sex abuse at the St John’s Ambulance charity has made a formal complaint to the Standards in Public Office (Sipo) about the minister for children over what he says are “false claims about supports for survivors”.

Mick Finnegan, aged 42, from Crumlin, South Dublin, was the first to report that he was raped by a former member of the charity as a 12-year-old volunteer. Up to 15 other survivors have since come forward with allegations against the same man who has since retired.