THE HSE investigation into notorious Donegal paedophile Michael Ferry is set to expose shocking loopholes which allowed to go on and abuse more kids despite a previous conviction.
The report is due to be completed and will examine how the Gaoth Dobhair man continued to work as a caretaker for an Irish language school and use their premises year-round to prey on other victims.
Michael Ferry abused dozens of boys in the area and was eventually convicted of abusing four of them.
The abuse continued for five years after his 2002 conviction for child sex abuse against another local man.
After sentencing him to 14 years at the Central Criminal Court last summer, Mr Justice Paul Carney said the authorities must have been aware Ferry had a conviction for a similar offence.
Justice Minister Alan Shatter asked the Garda Commissioner to investigate if, after the first conviction, gardaí and the HSE had contact with the school management.
“I am particularly calling on those in charge of this school to explain how this individual continued to be employed as a caretaker in the school and whether at any time they considered the risk he posed to children,” said Mr Shatter at the time.
The Department of Justice said this weekend: “A garda investigation into certain matters including the circumstances surrounding the person’s employment is continuing and we are not in a position to make any further comment pending completion of that investigation.”
The HSE said: “We established a review team to assess the response of the HSE /former NWHB services following a referral from An Garda Síochána in 2002 relating to Michael Ferry and the intervening period to July 2011. The report is expected to be completed by March 2012.”
Ferry, who lived in a cottage near Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair, was working at Ard Scoil Mhuire in Derrybeg, a former school building used for Irish language courses.
The boys were not pupils at the Irish language school but lived locally and were offered drink and cigarettes by Ferry.
There are allegations that up to six other men also abused boys in the area and a number have been arrested, questioned and released without charge by an investigation team based in Glenties.
Last summer, the directors of Coláiste Cholmcille – who ran the school and others in Dunlewey – said it was “factually incorrect” to say Ferry continued in his role as caretaker after 2002.
However local people say he continued to use the premises up until last year.
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