The Irish Survivors of Child Abuse (SOCA) organisation yesterday expressed concern that members of religious congregations were being "allowed a public platform to deny and refute allegations of abuse" at public hearings of the investigation committee of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.
In a letter, handed to the committee yesterday, Irish SOCA's John Kelly said members of the congregations "have also made allegations of conspiracy against our legal representatives and the Garda Síochána".
He pointed out that evidence from abuse victims was "heard in secret", though provision was available to have it heard in public. "Because of this a public perception has arisen that it is the religious orders that are the injured parties since accounts of abuse suffered at the hands of the religious as well as by the judicial system remain unheard," he said. He was formally protesting "at this appalling state of affairs".
The public hearing was adjourned yesterday when Ron McCartan, who was in Artane from 1956 to 1962 but has lived in London for 35 years, interrupted proceedings. He demanded to know why the committee denied him and "thousands of other former residents" an opportunity to give evidence, while allowing someone who was never a day in Artane (Br Reynolds) do so.
He said the average Brother there had the right "to administer punishment of a brutality you cannot imagine". He asked that survivors be given the right "to throw questions at this man".
Speaking to The Irish Times later he recalled episodes of punishment from his days in Artane. He was seeking acceptance that "what survivors are saying is true; a personal apology from the Christian Brothers who had been at Artane; and the removal of any gagging order on any award given by the Redress Board."
