he Ferns Report

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Francis D. Murphy, Helen Buckley, and Larain Joyce, The Ferns Report, presented by the Ferns Inquiry to the Minister for Health and Children (Dublin: Government Publications, October 2005) "The Inquiry wishes to acknowledge its debt to the courageous people who spoke about experiences of abuse. Without exception the witnesses who attended the hearings impressed the Inquiry with their dignity and clarity. Many offered an invaluable insight into the nature and extent of the problem and the lasting trauma it can cause. It would not have been possible to produce this Report without their cooperation and help." Ferns Report, p. 4.

The report is offered here in several small PDFs (most of them under 1 megabyte) for easier download. See also the detailed table of contents below.

Executive Summary, Introduction, Terms of Reference
Chapter One: [Work Programme and Review of the Birmingham Report]
Chapter Two: Child Sexual Abuse and Abusers
Chapter Three: Legal and Managerial Structures
    - The Catholic Church
    - The South Eastern Health Board
    - An Garda Síochána
Chapter Four: Allegations of Abuse
    - Collins, Doyle, Alpha, Grennan
    - Fortune
    - Ledwith, Clancy, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Iota, Kappa, Lamda, Zeta, Sigma, Upsilon, Theta, Omrikon, Tau, Omega, Unnamed Priests
Chapter Five: The Diocesan Response
    - Collins, Doyle
    - Alpha, Grennan
    - Fortune
    - Ledwith, Clancy, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Iota, Kappa, Lamda, Zeta, Sigma, Upsilon, Theta, Omrikon, Tau, Omega
Chapter Six: South Eastern Health Board Response
Chapter Seven: An Garda Síochána Response
Chapter Eight: Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendix

 To purchase a printed copy of the Ferns Report, contact:

Government Publications
Mail Order Section
51 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2.
Tel. 01-6476000 [buyers in United States call 011-353-1-6476000]
Cost: €6 per copy (cheque, credit card or postal order)

Detailed Table of Contents

Executive Summary, Introduction, Terms of Reference

Chapter One: [Work Programme and Review of the Birmingham Report]
   1.1 Works Programme
    1.2 A Review of the Birmingham Report

Chapter Two: Child Sexual Abuse and Abusers 10
    - What is Child Sexual Abuse? 10
    - Historical Perspective on Child Sexual Abuse 11
    - Common Perceptions about Child Child Sexual Abuse 17
    - The Process of Child Sexual Abuse 18
    - Impact of Child Sexual Abuse 19
    - Assessment and Treatment of Alleged Abusers 20
    - Returning Alleged Abusers to Ministry 21
    - Mandatory Reporting 22

Chapter Three: Legal and Managerial Structures 24

    3.1 The Catholic Church 24
            - The Church, as an Organisation 24
            - Hierarchical Structure 24
            - Overview of the Diocese of Ferns 26
            - Administration in the Diocese 27
            - Management of the Diocese 28
            - St Peter's College 30
            - Seminary Admission and Formation 31
            - Current Selection Procedures for Maynooth Seminary 33
            - Canon Law 37
            - The Removal of a Priest under Canon Law 38
             - The Framework Document 40
             - The Inter-Agency Review Committee 44
            - Application of Canon Law Procedures by Bishop Brendan Comiskey and Bishop Walsh 44
            - Insurance 47

    3.2 The South Eastern Health Board 49
            - Administrative Structure of the South Eastern Health Board 57
            - Garda / Health Board Liaison 58
            - The Inter Agency Review Committee 59

    3.3 An Garda Síochána 60
            - The Garda Process of Investigation 62
            - Sexual Offences Legislation 67

Chapter Four: Allegations of Abuse 70

    Collins, Doyle, Alpha, Grennan
    4.1 Fr Donal Collins 71
    4.2 Fr James Doyle 76
    4.3 Fr Alpha 79
    4.4 Fr James Grennan (Deceased) 82
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    4.5 Fr Sean Fortune (Deceased) 86

    Ledwith, Clancy, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Iota, Kappa, Lamda, Zeta, Sigma, Upsilon, Theta, Omrikon, Tau, Omega, Unnamed Priests
    4.6 Monsignor Michael Ledwith 101
    4.7 Canon Martin Clancy (Deceased) 104
    4.8 Fr Beta 107
    4.9 Fr Gamma 108
    4.10 Fr Delta 114
    4.11 Fr Epsilon (Deceased) 115
    4.12 Fr Iota 116
    4.13 Fr Kappa 117
    4.14 Fr Lamda (Deceased) 118
    4.15 Fr Zeta (Deceased) 118
    4.16 Fr Sigma (Deceased) 119
    4.17 Fr Upsilon 120
    4.18 Fr Theta (Deceased) 121
    4.19 Fr Omrikon 121
    4.20 Fr Tau (Deceased) 122
    4.21 Fr Omega 123
    Unnamed Priests 123

Chapter Five: The Diocesan Response 124

     Collins, Doyle
    - Fr Donal Collins 124
    - Fr James Doyle 134

     Alpha, Grennan
    - Fr Alpha 140
    - Fr James Grennan (Deceased) 146

    - Fr Sean Fortune 153

     Ledwith, Clancy, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Iota, Kappa, Lamda, Zeta, Sigma, Upsilon, Theta, Omrikon, Tau, Omega
    - Monsignor Michael Ledwith 174
    - Canon Martin Clancy (Deceased) 183
    - Fr Beta 188
    - Fr Gamma 191
    - Fr Delta 194
    - Fr Epsilon 196
    - Fr Iota 196
    - Fr Kappa 199
    - Fr Lamda (Deceased) 199
    - Fr Zeta (Deceased) 200
    - Fr Sigma (Deceased) 201
    - Fr Upsilon 202
    - Fr Theta (Deceased) 203
    - Fr Omrikon (Deceased) 203
    - Fr Tau (Deceased) 204
    - Fr Omega 204

Chapter Six: South Eastern Health Board Response 206
    - Fr James Grennan (Deceased) 206
    - Fr James Doyle 211
    - Fr Alpha 213
    - Monsignor Michael Ledwith 215
    - Fr Omega 218
    - Fr Upsilon 219
    - Bishop Comiskey 219

Chapter Seven: An Garda Síochána Response 221
    - Fr James Doyle 221
    - Fr Donal Collins 224
    - Fr Sean Fortune 227
    - Fr James Grennan 231
    - Fr Alpha 234
    - Canon Martin Clancy 238
    - Monsignor Michael Ledwith 240
    - Fr Delta 242
    - Fr Upsilon 243
    - Fr Gamma 243
    - Fr Beta 245

Chapter Eight: Conclusions and Recommendations 246

Appendix 268