By Eoghan Dalton - Gardai are investigating a claim of historical sexual abuse at a children’s charity in Waterford.
The Irish Examiner reports that a woman, now in her mid 30s, made the complaint earlier this year. The allegation, which centres on events which took place at Children’s Group Link’s Military Road premises, is understood to date back almost two decades.
The charity, which caters for marginalised children and teenagers in the city, moved into its longstanding premises on Military Road in the early 1990s.
Gardai have conducted a number of interviews in relation to the matter. However, a garda spokesman told the Irish Examiner that no arrests have been made in relation to the case, and that they are awaiting direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Children's Group Link and its board members did not respond to requests for comment from the Examiner.
The Charities Regulator told the paper it had been notified of the allegation by a member of the public last June.
"Due to the content of the concern it was forwarded to An Garda Síochána," a spokeswoman said. The regulator investigates only matters related to charity law, with any criminal matters being referred to Gardai.
However, Gardai had already been aware of the complaint since early 2021 when they began investigating. The investigation is being handled by the Protective Services Unit attached to Waterford Garda Station.
A spokesperson for the Charities Regulator said there is no requirement under law for a registered charity to notify the Regulator about internal matters "particularly where they might fall under the remit" of other State bodies such as An Garda Síochána or Tusla.
