Shatter: Refusing to tell victims the results of investigation
TWO Government departments have left victims of abuse here in Donegal ‘devastated’ after telling them: “We won’t tell you what really happened.”
Paedophile Michael Ferry was allowed to continue to work as a school caretaker AFTER being found guilty of abusing one boy, and despite being placed on the sex offenders register in 2002.
Victims in Gaoth Dobhair where Ferry operated for more than two decades after being kicked out of the priesthood were promised TWO investigations in 2011 after Ferry was jailed for 14 years for dozens of sickening crimes against young boys.
A Garda investigation into Coláiste Cholmcille and its directors was given to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This week the DPP decided they had no case to answer. A report was given to Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
A separate report was carried out by the HSE.
Both departments say their findings will NOT be made public and Ferry’s victims won’t be allowed to see the reports.
Derek Mulligan was abused before and AFTER Ferry’s 2002 conviction for abusing another young boy.
The abuse of other boys continued AFTER 2006 when the first victim’s sister reported Ferry in the company of young school age students to Gardaí in Bunbeg.
Gardai warned at least one college director that Ferry was on the sex offenders register and should not be in the company of children, in any circumstances.
The DPP however has ruled that no-one did anything wrong.
“The abuse of me could have stopped,” said Mr Mulligan.
“When I waived my right to anonymity to speak out, it was to expose Ferry and what he had done.
“We were promised loads of investigations and that we’d be told what was found out. Yesterday I found out that none of the reports will be published.
“It has left Ferry’s victims including me absolutely devastated. Where is the justice in all of that?” he asked.
The HSE and Department of Justice confirmed the reports would not be published.
Michael Ferry, right, being taken into court in Donegal Town in December.
People in Gaoth Dobhair – including relatives of the abused men – believe the real truth of the Michael Ferry case is being hidden from them.
“Most people have a fair idea what went on, why it went on and who was involved in the cover-up,” said one relative.
“This community is ready to explode. There’s a lot of anger and a lot that anger is because the most vulnerable amongst us have been let down yet again and nobody in power seems to give a damn.”
Michael Ferry is serving a 14-year sentence. An extra 7 years handed down in court in December will run concurrently.
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