From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, welcomes the publication of the report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon, commissioned by the Board of St. John Ambulance Ireland into the management of historical child sexual abuse within the organisation.
The Minister said:
“I welcome the publication of this report while being cognisant of the distress its contents may cause to survivors. I would like to thank the people who participated in the review and acknowledge how difficult it can be to tell others about abuse experienced in childhood.
“St John Ambulance is not a body under the aegis of my department, however, officials from my department have engaged with St John Ambulance in relation to the publication of the report. It is my understanding that the Board of St John Ambulance arranged to meet with the survivors prior to the publication of this report. My department has been advised that the organisation has made supports available to those affected following the publication of the report. The department has been informed that these supports will include a helpline /counselling support service which will be available on the day of the report’s publication. These supports will continue to be provided by a St John Ambulance Ireland with a professional counselling provider over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend. Tusla also has established a dedicated reporting helpline (045 839375) to support any individual who has a current or historical child protection concern in relation to St John Ambulance Service. This number will be available throughout the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend, Friday 17 to Sunday 19 March, from 9am and 5pm, and will continue during normal business hours in the weeks ahead.
"Tusla has had ongoing contact with St John Ambulance Ireland since 2019 to seek assurances that current child safeguarding practices are in line with Children First legislation. Tusla has assured my department that they are satisfied with the level of engagement on these issues by the organisation."
Several individuals have made retrospective disclosures of abuse concerning a former member of St. John Ambulance. A number of allegations have previously been investigated by An Garda Síochána, and files prepared for the DPP.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency will be available to take referrals from any person seeking to report suspected cases of abuse.
In 2017, the Children First Act was commenced in full. The Act sets out the obligations on people and organisations to protect children. The Act specifies categories of mandated persons, who must report suspected incidences of child abuse to Tusla.
The Charities Regulatory Authority, under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development, is Ireland's statutory regulator for charitable organisations, including St John Ambulance.
The Board of St John Ambulance commissioned Dr. Geoffrey Shannon to conduct an independent review into historical allegations of child sexual abuse and also to assess current safeguarding practices within the organisation. Dr. Shannon is a leading authority on child protection and child and family law. During three successive terms as Special Rapporteur for Child Protection, Dr. Shannon produced 12 annual reports as well as a range of reports on matters relating to child protection. Dr. Shannon has also served as Chairperson of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and has recently been appointed as a judge of the Circuit Court.
Tusla has engaged with St John Ambulance regarding current safeguarding practices during the period of the review. A revised child safeguarding statement has been published on the St John Ambulance website.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for assessing any current risk to children, arising from historical allegations of abuse. Tusla has liaised with St John Ambulance in order to improve safeguarding processes within the organisation. St John Ambulance’s Safeguarding Statement, revised under advice from Tusla, has been deemed compliant by the Tusla Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit.
Tusla is available to take referrals from any person seeking to report suspected cases of abuse.