A fresh study is underway to unearth the truth about abuse in Northern Ireland. Tony Gribben, an abuse survivor, tells a harrowing tale of being “beaten down” at his boarding school, where he faced both physical and sexual violence. Many survivors are advocating for an independent public inquiry into the abuse they endured by clergy and other religious figures in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland government is now exploring ways to address the issue and has initiated a study, which Gribben views as a significant step forward.
The study is focusing on gathering the accounts of survivors who experienced abuse in various “faith settings,” such as churches, schools, and other places where clergy and religious leaders abused children. Mr. Gribben speaks about the abuse he endured beginning in his first year at boarding school, starting with beatings and escalating to extreme sexual violence. The man responsible for his torment, Father Malachy Finegan, faced accusations of multiple sexual assaults on boys, particularly during his time at St Colman’s College in Newry, County Down. Despite the allegations, he was never prosecuted or questioned by law enforcement.
Nikella Holmes, another survivor of abuse, emphasizes the need for survivors to speak up and share their stories, noting the importance of survivors uniting to bring about change. She shares her account of abuse by a youth leader and highlights the lack of stories from individuals with a Protestant background. The research project, led by Professor Tim Chapman, is divided into three parts: safeguarding policies examination, review of records held by faith organizations and public bodies, and collecting survivors’ narratives. The study promises a sensitive approach, allowing survivors to share their experiences confidentially.
The report generated from the study will shape the recommendations delivered by the interdepartmental working group and a survivors’ reference group to the first and deputy first ministers. Despite previous public inquiries into abuse in different institutions, there has been a notable absence of investigations into abuse by religious leaders within the community. Tony Gribben advocates for a public inquiry led by the Northern Ireland Executive to address lingering questions about the abuse he and others endured. He underscores the necessity of uncovering the truth through a public inquiry to support survivors in dealing with the repercussions of their experiences
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