TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY says he hopes that the allegations of sexual assault on a 13-year-old boy in a Dublin school are dealt with “quickly and effectively”.
Speaking to reporters today during his visit to the US, Kenny was asked about reports that there was an alleged delay in reporting the incident to gardaí.
“I’d be very upset if that allegation is true,” he said. “Clearly Minister Bruton has expressed a serious concern about this. I know that the authorities have now been informed – Tusla and the Gardaí.”
Earlier today, Minister Richard Bruton had described the allegations as “disturbing”.
Kenny said that Bruton “is exceptionally distressed about this as would be the allegations with respect of the main pupil involved”.
“Ireland has very strong child security systems,” continued the Taoiseach. “Children are central to government. We have enshrined in the Constitution a minister for children and support for both the Department of Education and Tusla.”
I do hope that the allegations that have been made are dealt with quickly and effectively by the authorities. It wouldn’t be for me to comment on the nature of the allegations until the authorities have carried out a full investigation of this.
Earlier today, Minister for Education Richard Bruton described an allegation of a sexual assault on a 13-year-old boy at the Dublin school as “disturbing”.
The incident, which allegedly involved a number of fellow students at King’s Hospital secondary school in Palmerstown, occurred last Thursday. Gardaí are now investigating the incident.
Newstalk reports the ministers described the alleged incident as “very disturbing”.
“There’s no doubt about that, but there are now authorities investigating this. The primary responsibility obviously is the gardaí in respect of some elements, and Tusla in respect of child protection.
I think we need to give time for those investigations to take place. Clearly this is a matter that worries – any parent would be worried about an incident such as this, but I think we have to step back and allow those who have the authority to investigate, to get the time and space to do that.
In a joint statement yesterday, archbishops Richard Clarke and Michael Jackson, and Bishop Pat Storey of the Church of Ireland, expressed their “sincere concern” and offered their “thoughts and prayers for the child and family at the centre of the incident”.
“We trust that the process of investigation by the statutory authorities will bring about a just outcome, and we also pray for the wellbeing of the pupils and staff of the school at this difficult time,” they said.
Gardaí at Lucan garda station are investigating.
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