TDs and Senators from counties Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan have written to the Taoiseach calling “as a matter of urgency” for an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse of patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The abuse there is alleged to have taken place between 1964 and 1994.
They point out that Minister for Health James Reilly had “already publicly acknowledged the need for an inquiry” into the matter on July 21st last if the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries was passed. Although that was not passed, “the need and demand for an inquiry remains”, they say.
It is the belief of the Oireachtas members that “an Independent commission of inquiry should be established as a matter of urgency”. They ask that alleged victims and the Dignity4Patients support and advocacy group should be consulted on its terms of reference.
They also ask that the Taoiseach and Minister for Health “commit to engaging with Dignity4Patients to consider the needs of all of those affected.”
Representatives of all TDs and Senators from the counties made the call at a press conference in Dublin yesterday.