SINN FÉIN TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin came under fire today on RTÉ’s the Week in Politics, when Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley said it wasn’t good enough for Sinn Féin to merely encourage those with information relating to sex abuse to come forward.
Speaking about the recent controversy surrounding Mairia Cahill, who alleges that she was raped by a member of the IRA, Ó Caoláin said he understood she had gone through a “horrendous experience”.
When the Sunday Times report was raised, which claims there were further assaults, Ó Caoláin said “there should be no hiding places” for people that commit abuse.
He urged people with any information to come forward and talk to the relevant authorities.
Sinn Féin toolkit
Dooley said it was the typical “toolkit” of Sinn Féin to distance themselves from stories of this kind, stating that the he thought their behavior had been “disgraceful” over the last week.
Dooley mentioned today’s Sunday Independent front page, which claims that ten sex abusers may been moved to the south.
Dooley said that if Sinn Féin think that any of their members have information, they should be leading the way, instead of “absolving” themselves from having any role to play.
Ó Caoláin stated that anyone who had information could come to any representatives either north or south of the border and they would be supported to go the authorities.
Gerry Adams has denied any cover up of abuse on any level, as did Ó Caoláin today.
Report to the authorities
Ó Caoláin said there should be no confusion that allegations of sexual abuse should be brought to the authorities .
Dooley then asked Ó Caoláin if he believed that Cahill had to face her abuser in a “kangaroo court”. He said he could not comment on whether she did, but said “if it did happen then that is an outrage”.
There was a robust exchange between Ó Caoláin and Dooley about the politicising of the matter, with Ó Caoláin stating that Dooley was in no more of a position to say what took place, than he was.
“I take her word over the hands and head of anyone in your organisation,” said Dooley.
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