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Artane abuse probe grows
By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN -- An investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and
other violence by Christian Brothers at the Artane Industrial
School in Dublin has mushroomed into one of the biggest probes of
its kind ever, with about 140 former pupils from all over the
world filing complaints.
New complaints are continuing to come into the 10-strong team of
detectives based at Clontarf Garda station at the rate of three
or four a week.
So far, up to 40 men -- serving, retired or dead Christian
Brothers -- have been named in the complaints being made by
former pupils of Artane, which closed in 1969. The allegations
include horrific claims of abuse, including repeated buggery, of
young pupils.
The investigation is expected to be followed by substantial
compensation claims in the civil courts. Similar probes in
America, Canada and Australia led to huge payouts by the order in
those countries.
A spokesman for the Christian Brothers said the order wished to
make it clear it was cooperating fully with the Garda inquiry and
deeply regretted any "hurt" caused in any school or
institution with which it has been associated.
The spokesman said it issued a message and apology last March.
"This message was designed to reach out to people who had
been hurt and we encouraged people to come forward," the
spokesman said. "We welcome the fact that people have since
done so. Again, we deeply regret the very fact that there is a
need for this and we say sorry to anyone we have wronged."
One elderly Christian Brother was arrested and questioned last
year. He was released without charge and a file is being prepared
for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
It is understood that no further arrests will be made until the
huge amount of detail in the complaints is fully sifted by
gardai.
The allegations being made also involve other Christian
Brother-run establishments in Salthill and Letterfrack, Co.
Galway, and Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Thousands of boys, many of them orphaned or abandoned by
poverty-stricken families, passed through Artane before it
closed. Some of the allegations involve complaints dating as far
back as the 1930s.
Former pupils have contacted gardai from England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the U.S. and Australia. Some of the
witnesses from abroad will shortly be flown to Ireland to swear
affidavits for the detectives.
Det. Sgt. Paul Scott, who is heading the special investigation
unit, said the bulk of the complaints were coming from Ireland
and Britain. Most of the British complaints are from men living
in Birmingham and London areas.
"We are now dealing with a very heavy workload due to the
number of complaints and the amount of statements that have to be
taken," Scott said. "Almost half the complaints
received so far have come from outside the country."
A special telephone hotline ([01] 853-1000) has been set up for
the investigation and Garda have issued appeals for any former
residents or staff in Artane who wish to make complaints to come
forward.(Irish Echo July 14-20 1999 Vol 72 #28)
http://www.irishecho.com/news/article.cfm?id=2353
