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Monday 29th of August Senator Mark Daly met with Gardaí and HSE officials to discuss urgent need for investigations and victim support

On Monday 29th of August, Senator Mark Daly met with Mr. Gordon Jeyes, the National Director for Children and Family Services in the HSE and Detective Superintendent John McCann, head of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit (DVSAIU) in Leinster House. The meeting was organised in light of statements made by Senator Daly in the Seanad in July regarding 7 allegations of child sexual abuse which were made against a Cork-based priest of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and former teacher in Carraig na bhFear, Cork between 1986 and 2008. The Senator had written a letter in the last week to Mr. Gordon Jeyes following the Senator’s statements in the Seanad.

The focus of the meeting was the viability of launching enquiries by both the HSE and the Gardaí in conjunction with the counselling services and avenues available for individual child abuse victims in Ireland.

Several initiatives to support victims and those affected were discussed, including the provision of a dedicated counselling helpline for victims, as well as the formation of a specialised support within the HSE. The HSE yesterday, Tuesday 30th August launched a dedicated free phone number for victims of child sex abuse and anyone affected: 1800 742 8000

Speaking after the meeting, Senator Daly stated that the “coordination and cross-authority effort displayed in the meeting was a step towards uniting all those dealing with these matters to ensure more efficient and effective justice”.

Senator Daly welcomes the official announcement Tuesday 30^th August of an enquiry by the HSE and the Gardaí in full cooperation with the work being undertaken by the Church’s  National Board for Safeguarding Children.

Senator Daly has pledged to continue liaising with both the victims and the authorities in relation to clerical sexual child abuse keeping them informed of any developments, while respecting the delicate nature of the issues and any investigations. Victims are encouraged to contact the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána, and speak to experienced professionals who will provide support and guidance.

Services available include;  

·         HSE Freephone  number for victims of child sex abuse and anyone else effected who may require support or counselling: 1800 742 8000. The Freephone number is open from 10am to 10pm daily.

·         The HSE National Counselling Service (NCS): available to adults who have experienced abuse as a child.  Counselling and psychotherapy is available at 60 locations throughout Ireland and can be accessed by calling Freephone 1800 235 234  for an appointment at a suitable location.  This is an automated service available 24/7 which will connect the caller to their local HSE National Counselling Service Centre.  Local services operate between 9:00am and 5.00pm Monday – Friday.

·         An Garda Siochana:

Email: to the Sexual Crime Management Unit at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: to the Sexual Crime Management Unit at 01 6663340 or 01 6663445, or
Contact your local Garda Station.
The Garda policy on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare can be accessed on: http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=5442

Other Support Services:
       

• One in Four: An appointment service Monday – Friday 9.30 to 5.30pm

Tel: 01 6624070,
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Post: 2 Holles St, Dublin 2
Supporting men and women who have experienced sexual abuse, and their family members by providing counselling and psychotherapy as well as advocacy services for people who have experienced clerical sexual abuse.  One in Four also provides counselling for perpetrators of abuse.

• Harbour Counselling Service; (part of the HSE NCS, based in Cork and Kerry) is dedicated to providing a counselling and psychotherapy service to adults who, as children, experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect. The abuse or neglect could have occurred in a family, community or institutional setting. Contact can be made directly by calling Freefone 1800 234 116 between 9.00am and 5.00pm or through any healthcare professional. Appointments can be arranged at locations in Cork and Kerry.

• Cork Sexual Violence Centre formerly Cork Rape Crisis Centre provides a counselling service to victims of rape and abuse. Freefone 1800 496 496, The Freefone number is available from 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. daily.

• Cork Rape Crisis Centre:

            Free Phone: 1800 496 496
            Website: http://www.sexualviolence.ie/

• The National 24 hour Helpline for Victims of Rape and Sexual Abuse is available 24 hours, 7 days per week on Freephone 1800 778 888.  Telephone and face to face counselling services are available.

• Connect provides out of hours (evening and weekends) telephone counselling for adults who have experienced childhood abuse. It is open from 6.00pm to 2.00am, Wednesday to Sunday on Freephone 1800 477 477 in ROI; 00800 235 235 55 from Northern Ireland and UK.

• The Samaritans helpline is available 24 hours a day everyday on 1850 60 90 90.

Legal Advice

Pearse Mehigan, Solicitor