merrion street

"The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter TD, today welcomed the action being taken by the HSE National Director, Gordon Jeyes, and by Detective Superintendent John McCann of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, in response to concerns regarding the welfare and protection of children who attended a boarding school in Carraig na bhFearr, Cork, run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has met with Gordon Jeyes and discussed the issues involved and she welcomes the priority being given by the HSE to the inquiry. Both Ministers have been acting in cooperation with regard to this matter and call on anyone who has information of relevance to furnish it to the HSE or an Garda Siochana.

Both Ministers are limited in what they can publicly state at this time as they are anxious to ensure that nothing is said that could cause difficulties of any nature for the inquiry being conducted by the HSE nor which could, in any way, inhibit the Garda investigation or prejudice any prosecutions that may result. In the context of serious allegations that have been made they, however, believe it is important to state that they have been assured that none of those against whom allegations have been made are currently engaged in any work activities which bring them into contact with children."