Latest abuse on claim against boys' home brings total to 13

GARDAI are investigating claims of sexual abuse at one of the State's largest institutions for orphans and boys with mental handicap.

Some 12 former residents of the Brothers of Charity Home at Lola in the Glanmire area of Cork have made statements to gardai alleging they were sexually abused while at Lola. A file has been sent to the DPP.

Now a 13th former resident has come forward alleging he was sexually abused by seven brothers while in their care at Lota between 1945 and 1961. Gardai have opened a new file as a result of these allegations by Mr Joe O'Driscoll (53).

Lota now caters solely for children and adults with mental handicap.

The original allegations by 12 former residents name five brothers - three of whom are now dead - and one lay person, who is also dead. They cover 1951 to 1984. One complainant has alleged abuse as recently as 1984 but the bulk of allegations relate to the 1950s and 1960s.

Mr O'Driscoll alleges he was abused from the age of 13 until he was 18 when he resisted one of the brothers' advances. As a result he was sent to a hospital in Dublin and was due to go to Grangegorman Psychiatric Hospital when he escaped to England he claims.

According to Mr O'Driscoll most of the abuse took place in two of the home's five pavilions or dormitories after lights out. If the boys refused to carry out the brothers' requests to masturbate and perform oral sex on them they were beaten, he alleges.

Gardai have confirmed that they have interviewed almost 50 people, among them the two surviving brothers named in allegations, former residents and other former staff.

"There were two brothers to each dormitory to look after 16 or 20 lads. When the lights were out they would come around and say to you, `Come in with me into the bedroom' so you'd have to go with them up to their rooms," Mr O'Driscoll said.

Both surviving brothers are no longer in contact with boys in any of the Order's homes.

The dormitories where, according to Mr O'Driscoll, most of the abuse took place, were demolished in 1987 and replaced by bungalows where residents live with house parents.

Asked to comment on Mr O'Driscoll's claims, a Brothers of Charity spokesman, Mr Patrick McGinley, said he would prefer not to comment on individual cases. He said the congregation would encourage anyone with any complaints of abuse to come forward.

"Firstly, he would encourage them to contact the gardai and we can put them in contact with the investigating officers if they wish. We're very anxious that the matter be investigated fully and thoroughly and we're co operating fully with the gardai in that regard.

Secondly, we would very much like to make contact with anyone with a complaint of abuse so that we can offer them therapeutic and counselling services to help them deal with what is a very upsetting and traumatic experience,"

The Brothers of Charity Superior, Brother Alfred Hassett, said he hoped media coverage of the investigation would enable the congregation to make contact with any former residents who might have a complaint so that they can be offered counselling.

"We have put the multi disciplinary professional counselling facilities of the Congregation at the disposal of any former resident with a problem in this area and I can assure anyone coming forward that the matter will be dealt with in the strictest confidence."