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Gardaí are understood to be investigating several complaints of alleged sexual abuse at St Anne’s special school, latter located on the grounds of Sean Ross Abbey, in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
The abuse is understood to involve up to nine studets and the alledged abuses date back to the years 1995 and 1996.
We also understand that a Garda investigation was launched from Templemore Garda Station, in October 1996 into the incidents, but same allegations received no public attention during that period of time.
Currently Gardaí state that they are continuing an ongoing criminal investigation into these alleged assaults at this Tipperary facility, but are not in a position to comment any further. However, they confirm that they are not aware of any political interference with this criminal investigation, which is also being alleged.
The abuse is understood to have come to the attention of parents, through students in attendance; the former who subsequently contacted Gardaí.
To current date, no criminal proceedings have been brought by the State, despite the formal complaints made to Gardaí, however a file is understood to have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Launch Of New Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Awareness Raising Campaign.
- National campaign that places survivors and victims centre stage to be launched.
- First awareness-raising campaign from Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, aiming to empower people to tell their stories.
A powerful new campaign to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, focusing on the importance of victims and survivors telling their story, is being launched today.
‘Hardest Stories’ is the first national awareness-raising campaign by Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency.
The campaign, with a tag-line of ‘The stories that are hardest to tell need to be told’, aims to shine a light on particular stories of violence, while acknowledging that too many of these stories exist, and to empower people to tell their own personal story.
Both domestic violence and sexual violence are crimes that have traditionally been under-reported, and significant work is being done to increase reporting, including through awareness campaigns.
The campaign is centred on two television adverts, both of which provide a snapshot into what the survivor remembers of the abuse that they themselves suffered; how they felt, and how they continue to feel.
Further assets, which will run across radio and digital channels, will feature more stories from men, women, and the LGBT+ community. They are stories of harassment, abuse, rape and stories of violence.
While the stories are difficult to tell and to hear; the intention behind the campaign is to encourage and empower people to come forward.
In addition to raising the importance of these stories, the campaign calls on the public to take an active role in tackling DSGBV and provides information on how to support someone who is a victim or survivor; on what signs to look out for, and on how they can use their voice to make change happen.
Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, (CEO of Cuan), said, “Centring the experience of victims and survivors of DSGBV is at the heart the values we bring to our work in Cuan. This is why we felt that our Agency’s first public awareness campaign should bring this experience centre-stage. The overarching message of the campaign is that Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is prevalent in Irish society, however it is often hidden or ignored. With this campaign we hope to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence within our society, encourage victims and survivors not to suffer in silence and to recognise that by telling their story they can reclaim their power.”
The campaign will run across TV; national and local radio; in press; digital and social media; in cinemas; on billboards and digital screens, throughout Ireland from Thursday February 27th.
The ‘Hardest Stories’ campaign website can be found LINKED HERE
NOTE: Details of Local Support Services available in Co. Tipperary can be found HERE.
Cuan Saor Refuge Locations In Tipperary:
Clonmel: Helpline Number 1800 57 67 57 or Email support@cuansaor.org.
Roscrea: Helpline Number 0505 23999 or Email ascend@ntdc.ie.
Services Provided: Include Refuge Accomodation, Helpline, Support and Information, One to One Support, Counselling, Outreach, Court Accompaniment, Training and Awareness-raising, Child and Family Support.
Today, (Friday February 21st), marks the launch of a new Central Criminal Court protocol at the Criminal Courts of Justice, to expedite rape and murder cases, latter involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age.
The protocol was drafted by a working group established in April 2024, chaired by Judge Caroline Biggs. The work was undertaken under the aegis of the Criminal Justice Users’ group which is convened by Judge Paul McDermott. The aim of the protocol is to expedite rape and murder cases involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age.
The protocol recognises children’s vulnerability and that delays in the criminal justice system can be detrimental to child victims and child defendants.
The protocol states that in cases involving rape or/and murder involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age reduced timelines for a case to go to trial should be adhered to. The expedited timeline would be 52 weeks approximately and apply to cases in the Central Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ).
As part of the protocol a ‘Court Accompaniment Support Worker’ will be provided for child offenders by the Youth Diversion Projects funded by the Department of Justice. The Court accompaniment is not an advocacy role, but they will explain in laypersons terms, to the young defendant what is happening at various stages of the court proceedings.
New Youth Diversion Projects for Tipperary and Clare have been announced.
- New projects will achieve Government ambition of nationwide access to YDP services for every young person who needs it.
- Foróige chosen to operate new YDPs in East Clare and North Tipperary.
Two new successful applications have been chosen in North Tipperary and East Clare. Following an open application and appraisal process, Foróige have been chosen to operate both projects.
The announcement of the new YDPs will achieve the target as set out in the Youth Justice Strategy of full national coverage of YDPs, ensuring that a service is available to every young person who needs it.
There are currently 100 YDPs throughout the State, including four new projects which were established in 2023, which are now up and running.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) work with young people at risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to divert them away from criminal behaviour and towards better life outcomes.
Funding for YDPs and other Youth Justice measures have increased substantially in recent years, from €18 million in 2020, to a total allocation of just over €33 million in Budget 2025.
The two new YDPs will be part of a wider Joint Commissioning initiative to trial a new collaborative approach to commissioning of relevant services in six pilot areas based on an agreed assessment of the needs of local young people. This approach aims to enhance communication and collaboration between agencies based on principles of the best interest of children and young people.
Youth Diversion Projects are co-funded by the Irish Taxpayers and the European Social Fund, as part of the ESF+ Programme 2021-2027.
Irish Vehicle drivers with the following medical conditions may face licence removal under new Irish regulations.
Drivers across Ireland have been warned of at least five medical conditions that could cause their driving licences to be revoked under new rules.
It is a requirement that thousands of motorists across Ireland must submit what’s called a Medical Form to the National Driver Licence Services every year, if they have any long-term injury or an illness that may affect their ability to drive in complete safety.
Failure to submit this required form, could place drivers at risk of fines, driving bans, or legal action by the Irish authorities. The Road Safety Authority has a comprehensive list of medical conditions, as well as treatments being received, that may affect a drivers ability to hold a driver’s licence.
Hereunder, are five of the major conditions that could cause your licence to be revoked if you do not report them to the authorities:
- Epilepsy and Sudden Blackouts.
- Heart Conditions (Including Arrhythmia and Heart Attacks).
- Severe Vision Impairment.
- Diabetes with Severe Hypoglycaemia (Low blood sugar).
- Neurological Disorders (Including Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease).
Conditions like Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or Motor Neurone Disease (MND) can also significantly impair reaction time, coordination, and cognitive function, making it absolutely vital that drivers submit a medical form to the NDLS.
The conditions that require motorists to submit a medical report can be found hereunder:
- Diabetes treated by insulin and or sulphonylurea tablets (your doctor can advise whether you are on these or not) no need to tell us if managed by other tablets and or diet.
- Epilepsy.
- Stroke or TIAs (minor strokes) with any associated symptoms lasting longer than one month.
- Fits or blackouts.
- Any type of brain surgery, brain abscess or severe head Injury involving in-patient treatment or a brain tumour or spinal injury or spinal tumour.
- An implanted cardiac pacemaker.
- An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
- Repeated attacks of sudden disabling dizziness.
- Any other chronic neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, or Huntington’s disease.
- A serious problem with memory or periods of confusion.
- Persistent alcohol misuse or dependency.
- Persistent drug misuse or dependency.
- Serious psychiatric illness or mental health problems.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Sleep Apnoea syndrome.
- Narcolepsy.
- Any condition affecting your peripheral vision.
- Total loss of sight in one eye
- Any condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye if the driver only has one eye (Not including colour blindness or short or long sight).
- A serious hearing deficiency.
- Severe learning disability.
- Any persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an automatic vehicle.
- Any persistent problems with arms or legs which restricts driving to an adapted vehicle.
How to Check if you may be at risk.
- Consult Your Doctor – If you have any of the conditions listed above or suspect a medical issue affecting your driving, seek medical advice immediately.
- Check the RSA Guidelines – The RSA provides a full list of reportable conditions on their website.
- Take an Eye Test – If you’re unsure about your vision, book an eye test to ensure you meet all legal requirements.
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