Senators condemn newspaper article on Garda investigation into alleged abuse

Senators have strongly condemned the publication of a newspaper article on a Garda investigation into alleged abuse by a former minister.

Independent Senator David Norris said there was a strong case for looking at the operations of the Irish media. He said there was privacy legislation lodged for many years on the Seanad's order paper but nothing had been done about it.

"I say this in the context of reports in the Irish Independent alleging child sexual abuse against a former minister,'' Mr Norris said. "It is a very serious charge and was leaked, I presume, by the Garda . . . it is very shocking stuff.''

Mr Norris said he had heard journalists speaking immediately after the publication of the article, and they were all congratulating themselves on it as wonderful, a great triumph and a big scoop.

“The next day, however, they were rethinking things a bit and there were more sober voices,’’ he said.

Shocking

Mr Norris said he would not name the person involved. “He is known to me and is a gentle, shy, diffident and very kind person,’’ he said. “To be the subject of these kinds of allegations is fair enough, but to have it bruited about and have newspaper reporters harassing him is very shocking.’’

He said it was similar to what happened to Sir Cliff Richard when the police alerted the media before bursting into his house and ransacking it.

“It was all on television and now the charges have been dropped,’’ he said.

He said most politicians were terrified of the media and, after he found himself routinely libelled every day on radio, television and in the newspapers during the presidential election campaign, he could understand why. “However, we must have a little courage,’’ he said.

Smear campaign

Fianna Fáil

Senator Denis O’Donovan said he agreed with Mr Norris “about a smear campaign against somebody who was never approached by a garda’’.

Mr Norris, he said, had rightly condemned the media for having a trial before anyone was arrested or questioned or had a file sent to the DPP.

“As a spokesperson on justice for Fianna Fáil in the House, I think the garda or gardaí, who must have been at the level of sergeant or higher, who leaked the information, should be gravely ashamed of themselves and the damage they have done,’’ he added.

Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway said it was shameful a person's good name would be undermined when that individual had not even been questioned by An Garda Síochána.

“I understand there are now three investigations into media leaks from An Garda Síochána, which is a very serious matter,’’ he said.