The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has directed that complaints received in relation to alleged child sexual abuse against Bishop Eamonn Casey be re-examined, Extra.ie can reveal.
In a statement to Extra this Friday, a spokesman for An Garda Síochána said: "The Garda Commissioner has requested the Garda National Protective Services Bureau to examine the original investigation file. Directions by the DPP are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions."
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau is a specialist unit of the Garda Síochána that handles human trafficking, child protection, domestic violence and sexual violence and general support to victims in distress.
It followed calls earlier this week by former Justice Minister Alan Shatter for Gardaí to review all complaints received against him, after a major investigation by RTÉ, in association with the Irish Mail on Sunday, aired on RTÉ One on Monday.
The documentary, "Bishop Casey’s Buried Secrets," examined the Catholic Church’s handling of multiple allegations received against Bishop Eamonn Casey.
It revealed that at least five child sexual abuse allegations had been received against him in every Irish diocese where he served, allegedly occurring from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Among those who lodged a complaint of alleged abuse against Bishop Casey was his niece Patricia Donovan, who filed her complaint in 2005.
An investigation into the Catholic Church's handling of allegations against the former Bishop of Galway, Eamonn Casey.#BishopCaseysBuriedSecrets | Tonight at 9.35pm | @RTEplayer pic.twitter.com/x16ubsj38Y
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) July 22, 2024
Bishop Casey was never charged or convicted for any alleged sexual crime, against a child or an adult.
He was interviewed for hours by Gardaí in relation to Ms. Donovan’s complaint but later told the Irish Times that he was "utterly amazed" by the speed of the decision in the case, after the DPP directed in August 2006 that no charges he brought against him.
Bishop Casey had claimed that he had only been interviewed for that investigation just a few weeks prior.
Former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter earlier this week called for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to explain why a complaint by Ms Donovan against her uncle was never prosecuted.
Ms. Donovan, from Limerick, reported Bishop Casey for alleged abuse, which allegedly took place from the late 1960s, starting when she was just five years old and continuing for more than a decade.
She made her complaint in 2005 and detectives from Limerick took a statement from Ms. Donovan in January 2006 but by August of the same year the DPP directed that no charges be brought on 13 sample allegations.
Mr. Shatter, also a solicitor, told the Daily Mail this week that he believed that this was decided within a ‘very unusual speed’ for a case of its kind.
"What I am mystified about is if Patricia Donovan told her story to the Gardaí in January 2006 how comprehensive was the investigation that was conducted?
"Was there undue deference paid to Bishop Casey, by the Gardaí or by the Office of the DPP? I think both need to provide transparency."
He had called for the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to review the Garda file about the investigation and bring some of the information into the public domain.
"I think this is far too serious for it to be a two or three-day media event that everyone talks about and the world goes on. I think Patricia Donovan is owed an explanation as to why the state failed her following her Garda statement in 2006.
"We have learned over the years that when there are allegations of abuse made, they need to be taken seriously, and the victim needs to be taken seriously, her narrative needs to be taken seriously, and shouldn’t be dismissed."
Gardaí previously told RTÉ, as part of its investigation with the Mail, that all complaints had been thoroughly examined.
In an earlier statement provided for the programme, a spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána has received a number of complaints. An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide any detail to respect the anonymity of the injured parties and the confidentiality of their reporting to An Garda Síochána.
"All complaints are/ have been formally investigated to the fullest extent possible, including a number of files which were sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. An Garda Síochána does not comment on correspondence that is with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or on any decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"An Garda Síochána remains in contact with all victims.
"An Garda Síochána also liaises where appropriate with TUSLA in respect of any ongoing child safe-guarding issues.
"An Garda Síochána appeals to any person who may be a victim of any form of abuse, sexual, physical, emotional to report it to their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. An Garda Síochána is committed to “the protection of the public by the thorough and professional investigation of this form of crime by all members of the organisation”. An Garda Síochána Policy on the Investigation of Sexual Crime, Crimes Against Children, Child Welfare is published on our website www.garda.ie."
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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