Labour leader calls for public inquiry into sex abuse allegations at St John’s Ambulance

Mick Finnegan from Dublin was first to break his silence and say that he was raped and abused by a former senior member of the St John’s Ambulance charity who has never been charged. Photo: Sam Boal /Rollingnews.ie

The leader of the Labour party has called for a full public inquiry into St John’s Ambulance charity, saying it is “regrettable” that it has not taken place  to date “as survivors need transparency”.

Ivana Bacik made the call while speaking in the Dáil and urged the Taoiseach Micheál Martin to “join us in supporting survivors' calls for a full public inquiry.” 

Ms Bacik is the latest politician to call for an inquiry, which has also been made by past and present TDs and senators over the last two years. These follow the publication in 2023 of a report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon which found systemic failures in the charity.

Mick Finnegan from Dublin was first to break his silence and say that he was raped and abused by a former senior member of the charity who has never been charged.

Ms Bacik told the Taoiseach: 

We know that St John’s Ambulance has paid money in settlements to survivors who allege sexual abuse in childhood by a former senior figure in St John’s Ambulance and we are aware of further civil cases in that some have been referred to the gardaí.

“In 2023 the (Geoffrey) Shannon review confirmed systemic failures in St John’s ambulance from the 60s to the 90s and I note in a recent statement from minister Foley confirming that her department had provided funding for a 12-month period to ensure that all of Dr Shannon’s recommendations, including safeguarding, be implanted in full," Ms Bacik said.

“She also confirmed she had no plans to establish a statutory inquiry. Taoiseach that is regrettable, survivors need transparency, a plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the Shannon report and review, and survivors say they are exhausted by delays and by the tone of engagement they have received to date.

“Taoiseach, what is your view on this and do you join us in supporting survivors' calls for a full public inquiry?” 

The Taoiseach responded saying he was “focused” on the implementation of the recommendations from the Shannon report.

He acknowledged there were “many calls for inquiries by many areas”, but said he has a “broader concern of commission of investigations methodology and model as a basis of dealing with issues of this kind”.

Mick Finnegan has also hit out a large volume of redacted Freedom of Information papers which were received by a member of the Oireachtas. He said his issues remain the same and wishes to “move forward” with a full inquiry.

Mick Finnegan said 'once the Dáil comes back into session in September we will definitely be following up on this'.

He told the Irish Examiner “Funding for a safeguard officer seems to have ended last month. Since the Dáil has ended there are no parliamentary questions being answered.

“But once the Dáil comes back into session in September we will definitely be following up on this.

He said that in March senator Chris Andrews also called for a statuary inquiry into St John’s Ambulance. “Minister for Children Norma Foley did not agree and you can see her full speech and notes on their reasoning as to not hold such an inquiry.

“Overall, none of the documents gave concrete evidence that a child safety officer has been implemented” he said. “We will be following up on this with Ms Foley once the Dáil is back in session.”