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September 28, 2000
January 7, 2001 |
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United Kingdom: Scotland
Sunday
January 7, 2001
18:09 GMT
MONKS DENY SCHOOL SEX ABUSE CLAIMS
Monks at the centre of a police report over claims of sexual and physical abuse at a
special school in Scotland have denied the allegations.
Police confirmed they have investigated claims against monks at the former St Ninian's
List D school in Gartmore, Stirlingshire.
The residential school was operated by the Catholic teaching order, the
De La Salle Brothers between 1960 and 1982.
It catered for up to 34 boys, aged from seven to 11, who had been sent
there by children's panels across Scotland.
Fiscal's report ...
Hundreds of boys are believed to have passed through the school during
its 40 year existence. It was closed in 1982 as part of a government review of List
D schools.
A Central Scotland Police spokesman said: "We can confirm an inquiry was
carried out and that a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal."
Police said they were unable to disclose the precise nature of the allegations.
John McCormick, of McSparran and McCormick, said on behalf of the De la
Salle Order: "The De La Salle order has cooperated fully with the police
investigations.
"Nobody has been charged and the allegations are vigorously denied. All the evidence
available indicates that St Ninian's was run in an exemplary manner."
Damages Sought ...
"The certificate of approval was withdrawn by the then secretary of state
because of over capacity of List D places in 1982 and for no other reason."
Mr. McCormick added: "Unlike those making the allegations and their
advisors I will reserve any further comment until after the result of the civil action is
known."
Cameron Fyfe, a Glasgow-based lawyer, said he had launched a civil action against the De
La Salle Brothers.
He said the papers had been lodged at the Court of Session in Edinburgh
and contained allegations by 11 former pupils.
They were each claiming E20,000 in damages and say they were
"brutalized".
Mr. Fyfe said: "The allegations are horrific, but I want to stress that
they remain purely allegations at the moment.
'Taken very Seriously' ...
"I had hoped to spare the alleged victims the trauma of a court action
but the De La Salle order refused to negotiate with me over the matter."
Father Danny McLoughlin, spokesman for the Catholic Church, said: "Any
allegations of abuse must be taken very seriously."
"It is important when serious allegations like these are made that they
are fully investigated by the appropriate authorities."
"The bishops of Scotland have made it clear that they view the protection
of children and vulnerable adults as a priority."
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