RCNI Press Release 20 January 2006
Ireland’s Vetting system gaps must be urgently addressed
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today calls on the relevant statutory and public bodies to urgently address the gaps in their vetting systems which have come to light this week. There have been two revelations this week which cause the RCNI deep concern, the case of Dr John Harding-Price and the Garda Siochana’s statement that they would no longer be vetting UK residents seeking employment in positions of power and trust over children and vulnerable adults in Ireland.
Fiona Neary, Executive Director of the RCNI said, ‘on Thursday (19th Jan) in the Irish Times Mary Raferty exposed the appalling situation for one very vulnerable young women when she was, and continues to be, subject to abuse by a psychiatrist, Dr John Hading-Price. This same doctor has been struck off the medical register in the UK for conduct displaying ‘an approach to practice which has no place in medicine’. It is a scandal that the system in Ireland did not allow for an automatic bar on this disgraced doctor from practicing over here.
In the same week we hear that the Gardai will no longer be vetting residents of the UK who apply for jobs which would put them in charge of the care of our children and vulnerable adults. It is unconscionable that we would allow Ireland to becoming the next stop for sex offenders intent on continuing their crimes, who find it increasingly difficult to operate in the UK due to restrictions and vetting measures over there. It is important we learn why the Garda vetting unit took this backward step.
We also need assurances that any Irish vetting policies are adequately resourced. No amount of policies can achieve a standard of security and safety for our most vulnerable citizens without the staff, along with the necessary resources, to carry out those checks.
The Irish public must be reassured that we are not going to see a mirroring of the situation in the UK where known sex offenders were entrusted with the care of children.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear,
087 2196447
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Fiona Neary, Executive Director of the RCNI said, ‘on Thursday (19th Jan) in the Irish Times Mary Raferty exposed the appalling situation for one very vulnerable young women when she was, and continues to be, subject to abuse by a psychiatrist, Dr John Hading-Price. This same doctor has been struck off the medical register in the UK for conduct displaying ‘an approach to practice which has no place in medicine’. It is a scandal that the system in Ireland did not allow for an automatic bar on this disgraced doctor from practicing over here.
In the same week we hear that the Gardai will no longer be vetting residents of the UK who apply for jobs which would put them in charge of the care of our children and vulnerable adults. It is unconscionable that we would allow Ireland to becoming the next stop for sex offenders intent on continuing their crimes, who find it increasingly difficult to operate in the UK due to restrictions and vetting measures over there. It is important we learn why the Garda vetting unit took this backward step.
We also need assurances that any Irish vetting policies are adequately resourced. No amount of policies can achieve a standard of security and safety for our most vulnerable citizens without the staff, along with the necessary resources, to carry out those checks.
The Irish public must be reassured that we are not going to see a mirroring of the situation in the UK where known sex offenders were entrusted with the care of children.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear,
087 2196447
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Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
