Inquiry must be conclusive

As the long-awaited inquiry into sexual abuse

The ex-Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, who resigned amid a torrent of criticism over his handling of complaints against priests, is among dozens of Church and State figures who will be summoned to the inquiry to give evidence.

From the outset, the Government insisted on holding a non-statutory probe into how the Church and State bodies reacted to complaints. This is perceived as a weakness in the process, which will be conducted in private because of the highly-sensitive nature of the issues being examined, and also to protect the identity of people involved.

However, Health Minister Michael Martin has the power to compel witnesses to give sworn testimony if they fail to co-operate fully.

If there is any attempt at a cover-up, the minister should not hesitate to confer statutory powers on the inquiry.

Significantly, the terms of reference will ensure the inquiry which is expected to go on for about a year not only examines priests' behaviour while in Ferns but also when they were stationed elsewhere.

Perhaps the most notorious cleric whose activities will be put under the microscope is the late Fr Sean Fortune, who abused boys while based in parishes around Wexford, and also in Belfast and Dundalk.

Another local priest, Fr Jim Grennan, sexually assaulted a group of girls as they were being prepared for Confirmation in the parish of Monageer.

Mysteriously, the files of a garda investigation into that case have disappeared.

Yet another priest of the diocese, Fr Michael Ledwith, became President of Maynooth, where students and staff complained about him to nine separate bishops, but without effect.

A member of the academic staff who sought an inquiry was transferred to parish work. Fr Ledwith is currently based with a sect in America.

Almost a year after the Government investigation was promised following a high-profile BBC documentary on the diocese of Ferns the inquiry will finally be announced today, under the chairmanship of retired High Court and Supreme Court judge, Justice Frank Murphy. Among the three-member team will be an expert in child psychology.

Much of the groundwork has already been done by senior counsel George Birmingham, who conducted interviews with a number of Fr Fortune's victims, including Colm O'Gorman of the One in Four group.

On a broader front, Justice Murphy will scrutinise the legacy of abuse by priests at St Peter's College in Wexford, a diocesan secondary school for clerical students destined for the priesthood.

What went on in Ferns was so grave that on no account should evidence be swept under the carpet. The objective must be to get at the truth, by lifting the fog of obfuscation surrounding the response to complaints made to both Church and State concerning the abhorrent behaviour of priests.

It is in the public interest that this inquiry be detailed and conclusive. Any priest who sexually abuses children should not be allowed to hide behind his status or position, and must face the full rigours of the law.