Decisive intervention required immediately

EVEN in a society forced to come to terms with, or at least confront, the active evil represented by aggressive and protected paedophiles Seán Fortune and Brendan Smyth — both Catholic priests, both deceased — the idea that a vulnerable, mute child should have been left in a foster home for more than 13 years after that home became the focus of sexual abuse allegations has the capacity to shame and outrage.

Or at least it should.

Whether this latest set of harrowing allegations leads to real, decisive action, the kind that ensures that anyone involved in our child protection process knows that not doing their job properly, that turning a blind eye, would at least cost them their job, remains to be seen. It is clear though, that an assertive step change is required if we are to give real meaning to the idea of child protection in this society — a society with, like it or not, an appalling record in this area.