Donagh community's concerns

Editorial Department • Published 1 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Dear Sir, - A meeting was held in Donagh Millennium Hall on Monday June 28, 2010 and was attended by representatives from a range of groups which host community and voluntary activities in the village.

The meeting was to discuss the release of two people from the area convicted of sexual offences against local children back into the community without punishment or treatment.

The community groups recognise that all people involved in this situation have legal rights. They also recognise the deep and prolonged hurt and stress over the past few years of innocent parties living locally namely the victims, the victim's families and the extended family of the sex offenders.

There has been widespread recognition in the media; amongst health and social care professional and politicians that the offenders have only been released back into the community on the basis of legal loopholes and failures by those in authority. It is therefore the responsibility of the relevant authorities and those who have allowed this to occur to immediately address and remedy the situation. Those who have failed are responsible for a situation that is now putting children at risk and where the safety of the offenders may be compromised. The Judge has expressed his belief that others related to these cases remain free in the community. Release into the community increases the likelihood that previous associations with other offenders will be re-established. Speculation is also rife on the number of people who have suffered abuse and who have not come forward. The release without punishment increases the danger to the mental health and well-being of victims.

In a very small community of less than 100 houses, with many families either connected to victims or offenders the decision to release those found guilty significantly increases the danger to all.

The forum believe that the decision to release the sex offenders back into the community was unprofessional and taken without any realistic assessment of the actual impact in a small rural community. The following points apply:

• The offenders, who have not completed a course of treatment, will be free to use the one small local shop and pub in the village frequented by victims and their families.

• The offenders house is a standalone property in a raised position in the village. It is the closest property to the local afterschool's club, playgroup and youth club and the only property to share a lane with these facilities.

• The offenders house is the only house on one side of the local playpark and metres from the only outdoor play area developed in the village

• All these facilities are probably less than 50 metres from the offenders house and within easy vision from their house.

• There are no restrictions on the offenders around a community garden purposely developed to deflect attention from the situation.

The result of these set of circumstances means that:

The viability of local childcare services, youth services and community safety is threatened and some such as the local Playpark are effectively defunct at this stage.

The release without either punishment or completion of treatment is dangerous. New victims are unlikely to come forward in a situation where those found guilty of multiple abuse are set free without any apparent punishment. Community tensions are also raised by the releases putting families from all sides under-stress.

The Donagh Community & Voluntary Forum appeal for local people to continue to remain calm. We express our sincere gratitude to the victims for their bravery in coming forward and trying to end a situation were children were preyed upon for almost forty years. They are the hero's and heroines in the episode. We also wish to tell victims who have yet to come forward that we support them and we encourage them to access counselling and help from the relevant agencies including Nexus.

The families of the offenders are not responsible for the actions of other family members and are a valued part of the community. They also deserve respect and support at this difficult time.

The situation has occurred because of major failing by the relevant authorities, they have full responsibility and also the power to make changes. We call for an immediate reassessment of the situation and a speedy reduction in the high risk factors that now exist In the near future we will be arranging a public meeting. We are receiving support from organisations including the Oak Healthy Living Centre in addressing this situation and will also be reaching out to other relevant agencies in addressing this preventable and unnecessary situation.

Yours faithfully,

Donagh Community and Voluntary Forum

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 01 Jul 10

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