40 IRA sex abusers being investigated by gardai, reveals Mairia Cahill
DETECTIVES are investigating more than 40 suspected IRA sex abusers, victim Mairia Cahill has said.
Ms Cahill met with gardai last week to discuss the increasing number of victims she has spoken with who endured similar treatment as she did at hands of republican abusers.
The Herald understands the cases currently being investigated include at least three attacks that took place in Dublin.
Abuse suffered by victims dates from as far as the 1970s, and most of the cases being reported occurred in Belfast and Derry.
afraid
Gardai are working closely with the PSNI and the State's child and family agency, TULSA.
"I am appealing to victims to come forward and report their abuse. There is nothing to be afraid of, and if I can help to alleviate the fear that victims have, I will," said Ms Cahill.
The new revelations come as an opinion poll shows a drop in support for Sinn Fein.
Gerry Adams' party is now the third most popular party in the State, according to the poll in the Sunday Business Post.
At a special mass for the families of the "Disappeared" yesterday, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin called on anyone with information on people murdered and secretly buried during the Troubles to come forward.
"I appeal to the conscience of anyone who has information to come forward to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims," Dr Martin said during a mass in Armagh.
hnews@herald.ie