Irish Girl Guides not involved in encounter

WE read with dismay and disbelief a letter published in The Irish Examiner of December 15, headlined ‘Girl guide’s standing order a big letdown’.

In fact, the matter referred to in the letter was thoroughly investigated by The Irish Girl Guides when it was reported by email to our national office on November 21.

The letter-writer was kept informed of our findings. We can reliably assure you this incident did not involve any of our members. The unfortunate encounter this woman and her mother experienced was not with members of The Irish Girl Guides.

We deeply regret their experience and offer our sympathies that they should have been treated in such a manner.

We were upset by comments made in the letter and the tarnishing of our good name in a public forum.

We are disappointed the Irish Examiner decided to print the letter without verifying the facts and the accusations made against us. Surely it is the duty of a responsible media source to ensure that what goes to print is verifiable, particularly a letters page?

Despite this setback, The Irish Girl Guides will continue to enrich the communities in which we serve with a well rounded programme that enables girls and young woman to develop to their fullest potential.

Jillian van Turnhout

Chief Commissioner Linda Peters

CEO Susan Griffin

National PRO

The Irish Girl Guides

27 Pembroke Park

Dublin 4