The independent inquiry into child sex abuse in swimming, which will be held in private, starts work today. The inquiry was set up by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, following the Derry O'Rourke abuse case. The inquiry is being conducted by Dr Roderick Murphy SC, who placed advertisements at the weekend seeking persons who may wish to make submissions or seek an interview. They should address their inquiries to Dr Murphy, Independent Inquiry, The Law Library, Distillery Building, 145-151 Church Street, Dublin 7. The submissions should be marked private and confidential.
Announcing the inquiry in the Dail last week, Dr McDaid was criticised by the Opposition for not setting up a judicial investigation. Mr Bernard Allen, the Fine Gael spokesman on sports and tourism, maintained the inquiry was "fatally flawed", claiming it could neither compel witnesses to attend nor requisition documents.
The Minister said he had been told that every document would be produced. He wanted the inquiry to be as inclusive as possible and appealed for co-operation. He said people could attend in confidence, "so I have more than I would have had if there was a public judicial inquiry".
Dr Murphy has been asked to report on the following: the arrangements which the Irish Amateur Swimming Association (IASA), the Leinster Branch and affiliated clubs had in place since 1975 for the detection and prevention of child sexual abuse; the procedures, including functional responsibilities, which the IASA, the Leinster Branch and affiliated clubs had in place for securing compliance with these arrangements; the manner in which complaints in relation to sexual abuse made to the IASA, the Leinster Branch and affiliated clubs were dealt with over that period; the manner in which any complaints in relation to two named coaches reported to the IASA, the Leinster Branch or affiliated clubs were handled by them over that period; the arrangements which the IASA, all their provincial branches and affiliated clubs now have in place to detect and prevent child sexual abuse, including arrangements while complaints are being investigated, and sanctions; and the adequacy of arrangements now in place for the protection of children in swimming.