Scouting Ireland: Report on abuse finds 'cover up' and 'cronyism'
The report by Ian Elliott was published today.
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The report by Ian Elliott was published today.
The review is expected to be completed in April this year.
Gardaí said that a file will be prepared for the DPP.
A number of properties were also searched by officers.
Early drafts of a letter that caused a row between the agency and Scouting Ireland contained stronger criticism of the organisation than the final version.
The leaders of Scouting Ireland apolgoised again to victims of abuse.
Anne Griffin will take over from Dr John Lawlor, who has headed the organisation since 2012.
The organisation said a letter sent to the CEO of Scouting Ireland was not meant to enter the public domain.
Child safety expert Ian Elliott said that the organisation is “as safe as it can be and getting safer” – Tusla disagrees.
Scouting Ireland says these concerns were never raised with the organisation.
Tusla says an ‘immediate review’ of the current standards around the supervision of children should be undertaken.
Minister Katherine Zappone said it’s likely the numbers could increase again.
The Scouting Ireland scandal reminds us that more than 90% of child sex abusers are known to their victims and predators are experts at blending in, writes child protection expert, Shane Dunphy.
71 alleged abusers and 108 alleged victims were identified by the organisation last week following a historic review.
It comes after Minister Katherine Zappone revealed the findings earlier this week.
Most cases dated between the 1960s and 1980s, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said.
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said last month that Scouting Ireland funding was to be suspended.
The group has said there is an appetite for change to its practices.
Funding will be suspended as long as the current Board of Directors remains in place.
The government will, however, restore funding for three months.
It emerged last weekend that a scout leader accused of a sexual assault remains under investigation by gardaí and the DPP.
Speaking in the Dáil, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone re-confirmed her decision to withhold further funding to the organisation.
The funding freeze comes after a man in the organisation was reinstated, without garda vetting, despite a rape allegation being made against him.
It’s been reported that the Children Minister has requested the report that criticised the organisation’s child safety procedures.
Scouts Sean Thompson and Millie Powell have been hailed as heroes after rescuing a 14-year-old.
The Boy Scouts of America have cited the support of the ‘vast majority of parents of the youth we serve’.