Norma Foley has no plans for statutory inquiry into St John Ambulance abuse
The charity was the subject of a major report after more than 15 men came forward to allege they were sexually abused by one former member involved in the first aid unit of the Old Kilmainham division in Dublin more than 30 years ago.A report by Geoffrey Shannon, published in March 2023, found that the charity had failed to act against the man for years, despite being aware he posed a significant risk to children.However, abuse survivors want to see a statutory inquiry established, criticising the lack of accountability by St John Ambulance Ireland.Norma Foley was asked about calls for a statutory inquiry by Independent TD Barry Heneghan in a parliamentary question. The minister said her department “continues to meet with St John Ambulance Ireland and the safeguarding officer to discuss progress to date” but added: “I am satisfied that progress is being made, and I have no plans to establish a statutory inquiry”.Mick Finnegan from Dublin was the first to speak out about the abuse after he revealed he was raped by the same man at the centre of the allegations. Mr Finnegan told the Irish Examiner there is a “lack of accountability” by the charity and he is “deeply disappointed” with the minister’s response regarding a statutory inquiry.“There has been lots of backwards and forwards with the Department of Children and I,” he said. “While there have been three progress reports since Dr Shannon’s review and another one is due, the full recommendations of the review have not been implemented by St John Ambulance and there has been no accountability.
It’s devastating when you are waiting this long for change to something that has already been found to be true. It takes an emotional toll on you.
"More than 15 men came forward, we protested, we spoke out and we got the review but with that amount of people coming forward, there should be an inquiry, and the minister said she’s not doing one. That’s very hard to take.”The accused — who is elderly — has never been convicted, but a previous Tusla report found that abuse did take place.Mr Finnegan’s exposé of the abuse led to other survivors coming forward. He and others have taken personal injuries cases in the High Court since.He has described how his life took a downward turn after he spoke out and he is currently living in temporary accommodation: “I was drinking heavily” he said. “I lost everything. I just couldn’t cope with the flashbacks, they were very vivid experiences, and I would be waking up in a state.”However, he said he has turned his life around and will be sober two years in August. He is working with Ciarán Lanigan, clinical specialist with North Dublin Homeless Mental Health team who told the Irish Examiner that Mr Finnegan has been working well with the unit.“He is one of the strongest people I know” he said. “He has engaged fully with the service, and he has been through an awful lot. "People don’t choose to be homeless, and mental health and trauma are usually a part of the background.“There was a terrible injustice done to him, and that’s very hard for any survivor when they don’t have accountability”.The Department of Children said: “SJAI is progressing the implementation of the recommendations as set out in Dr Geoffrey Shannon’s report and the department is aware that SJAI will be publishing its next progress report in the near future.“A key recommendation of Dr Shannon’s report was for the appointment of a National Safeguarding Officer to SJAI.“The department has provided funding for a 12-month period to ensure that all of Dr Shannon’s recommendations, including safeguarding, are implemented in full.”
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