Vetting must prevent tragedy here

The abominable tragedies that were revealed during the course of the Soham trial should sound loud warning bells in this country.

What happened to Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman could happen here, because procedures are not as effective as they should be.

It would, indeed, be a compassionless and heartless person who failed to be moved as the parents of those two 10-year-old little girls had to listen to the evidence. The fact that Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr ultimately were brought to justice is of little consolation to the parents of the girls who will grieve for the rest of their lives.

Yesterday, British Home Secretary David Blunkett ordered an inquiry into how Huntley got a job at a school, despite suspicions he was a threat to children.

Before an awful tragedy happens in this country the vetting procedures must be put in place to protect children and other vulnerable people from predators like Huntley. A move to that effect was put forward recently by Fine Gael in a Private Member’s Bill and, hopefully, it will be acted upon. It pointed out that in Ireland the vetting of those who work with children and vulnerable adults is deeply inadequate. Access to the services provided by the Central Vetting Unit is extremely limited and inconsistent, with many agencies that wished to use the service being turned away.

The warning is there.