Courts / Ireland / Report
CFA ignored more serious sexual abuse allegations during investigation, judge says
Summary
In a High Court written judgement, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys criticised the Child and Family Agency (CFA) for focusing on a father's alleged "inappropriate acts of a sexual nature" – specifically, masturbating in front of his eldest daughter – while allegedly ignoring more serious sexual abuse claims involving another man who had ongoing access to children. The father, who denies wrongdoing, seeks to appeal the CFA's finding that he engaged in child sexual abuse and that he should not have unsupervised contact with children. He also wants his daughter cross‑examined during the appeal. The judge ruled that the father is entitled to such cross‑examination and that if it does not occur within two months the appeal will be allowed. He ordered that the identities of those involved remain confidential and that the CFA's findings cannot be relied upon until the cross‑examination has taken place.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: CFA ignored more serious sexual abuse allegations during investigation, judge says. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 2014 Other
- 2017-02-24 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: The father, who says he has a good relationship with the younger daughter, applied to the district court for access which has been adjourned from time to time.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Temple Street
- Temple Street Children's Hospital
Topics
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