Meeting 'hijacked' say victims of McDermotts

Sarah Saunderson • Published 15 Jul 2010 11:00

Two victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the McDermott brothers in Donagh pulled out of a meeting with Justice Minister David Ford yesterday (Wednesday) because they believe it had been "politically hijacked".

The victims, who do not wish to be identified, said they "vehemently resent the involvement of political representatives" and although they initially set up the meeting, decided to stay away. "Not for the first time in our lives, [we feel] disempowered by the way that the local political representatives, have politically hi-jacked this meeting," they said in a statement.

The village of Donagh's "appalling secret" was laid bare after it was revealed in court how children living there had suffered "horrific" sexual abuse at the hands of the McDermott brothers. One brother, 60-year-old John McDermott was jailed for nine years for the rape of a schoolboy and the abuse of other children. Another brother Peter Paul, hanged himself in Donagh in May, the day after he went on trial accused of indecently assaulting two boys.

But it is the fact that two remaining brothers, James and Owen Roe, deemed unfit to stand trial by reason of their mental disability but found by a jury to have sexually abused children, have returned to live in Donagh that is causing huge distress. The judge made them the subject of a two-year Treatment and Supervision Order during which they will continue to live in the family home in Donagh under supervision.

"I have got no political allegiances of any kind. I am a parent of children and every day that goes by I paint a picture of these two paedophiles looking at a children's play area and a children's creche. I do not have to paint a picture of what I see. I want them moved out of the community," said one of the victims who boycotted yesterday's meeting.

The victim believes that the issue of removing the McDermott brothers from Donagh is one for Mr. Michael McGimpsey, the Minister for Health.

Mr. McGimpsey has given an undertaking to look again at the law that allowed the two McDermott brothers to return to Donagh. He said he plans to reform the current Mental Health Order which was made in 1968, bringing it in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Explaining the reason for withdrawing from the meeting, the victims said: "There are two major issues at stake, both have equal importance. One is, to have the Mental Health Legislation changed, which was the reason this meeting was arranged in the first place. This meeting was not arranged by political representatives, it was arranged by the victims themselves. It is our opinion that there is no need for political representation in this regard. It has been publicly announced by government ministers, that it is 'inevitable that legislation will be changed'. The meeting with the Justice Minister and the victims is merely a symbolic meeting, to highlight the urgency of this review, so that no other victims or community are subjected to this judicial decision in future.

"The second major issue is to have two convicted paedophiles removed from the Donagh area. This is a matter for the Health Minister who is in charge of Social Services who can remove these two individuals. The proposed questions for the Justice Minister, should be directed at the Health Minister at a completely separate meeting where victims and the community could be represented.

"If the Donagh groups and the local political representatives want to represent the community it's the latter of these two issues which they should be targeting. We would be happy to give our full support in this regard. We did not request the help of any body outside the group to represent us at the meeting with the Justice Minister. The suggestion of having the Justice Minister and the Health Minister at the same meeting will confuse the importance of both issues". The victims who did attend yesterday's meeting were accompanied by Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew and Councillor Ruth Lynch. Ms Gildernew made a presentation to Justice Minister, Mr. David Ford.

The victims who did not attend added: "We vehemently resent the involvement of political representatives without our permission. This decision was taken at a meeting where we were not present and we were not informed that it was going to take place. We find this action extremely underhand. We also feel, and of course not for the first time in our lives, disempowered by the way that the local political representatives, have politically hi-jacked this meeting. We feel that this meeting would be much better handled by the victims and without any political interference. The last thing the victims and the community wants is for the whole matter to be turned into a political football".

A spokesperson from the Department of Justice yesterday said that Minister Ford was moved by what he heard and confirmed that he had instructed officials in his department to work closely with colleagues in Health on the review of Mental Health legislation.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 15 Jul 10

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