An independent review into the handling of complaints of sexual abuse at St John Ambulance found its garda vetting system is incomplete posing a serious risk to children.
The state of its current system could create a potential for unvetted adults to gain access to children, according to the investigation which was commissioned in March 2021 after several men came forward alleging they had been sexually abused as young teenagers by a senior officer at St John Ambulance during the 1990s. The review found that the organisation still doesn't have a finalised child protection policy.
The investigation also uncovered evidence of serious incidents being reported in recent years including several disturbing modern-day allegations of the grooming and sexual abuse of young children. Tonight on Prime Time, RTE Investigates will examine instances of abuse by a senior figure in the organisation stretching back to the early 1970s with evidence the abuse continued without intervention for up to 30 years.
Read more: Campaigners demand St John Ambulance publish report on historic abuse claims
The reports found a failure to initiate any formal investigation following the disclosure of serious grooming and child sexual abuse. The independent review was carried out by the former child protection rapporteur and recently-nominated Circuit Court judge Dr Geoffrey Shannon.
The investigation found St John Ambulance failed to properly intervene or investigate suspicions or knowledge of child protection risks despite there being a significant degree of awareness within the organisation regarding the same.
The report states St John Ambulance did not refer initial complaints to statutory agencies like the gardai which was in part due to a fear of litigation but, the main reason for not reporting the abuse was a desire to protect the reputation of the organisation rather than its ordinary members.
There were also major shortcomings in how the organisation responded. Most historic complaints referred to in the report relate to one former volunteer, a senior officer at the former Old Kilmainham division. But there may have been more than one perpetrator engaged in potential grooming and/or abuse of children as per testimony that was received.
The Board of St John Ambulance told RTE that while it understands the wait for the report has not been easy for abuse survivors, the organisation had to complete a due diligence process. "This process, involving legal and data protection dimensions, has now concluded, enabling publication of the complete unredacted report."
St John Ambulance also confirmed it will be engaging with the Department of Children as it implements the recommendations made by Dr Shannon.
Tusla told RTE Investigates: "Tusla has had ongoing contact with St John Ambulance since 2019 to seek assurances that current child safeguarding practices are in line with Children First. Currently, we are satisfied with the level of engagement on these issues.
"Once published, Tusla will review the report and follow up accordingly with St John Ambulance if any current or retrospective child protection issues are identified in the report."
- RTE Investigates: St John Ambulance will air on Prime Time on RTE One at 9.35pm and on the RTE player.
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