Alleged Sexual Abuse in Dundrum
Following shocking revelations of alleged sexual abuse at Dundrum
Mental Detention Centre in Dublin, Sinn Féin Councillor Christy Burke
has called for an immediate investigation into the state institution
over the last 20 years.
Councillor Burke said he was ``shocked and repulsed'' following a
series of meetings with three of the five female inmates in the
hospital and one of their families. ``I was physically sick at the
graphic details of mental anguish and alleged physical violation I
encountered,'' he said. ``These women have been left, unmonitored, in a
vulnerable and potentially volatile situation, as with many others in
the care of the state. I am calling for them to be temporarily
removed from this institution to more modern facilities and for a
full-scale review of how the system operates within such institutions
and how monitoring can be improved. Male orderlies should, in the
future, be accompanied by female staff at all times, while in the
female unit''. Following a meeting on Tuesday night with a senior
Eastern Health Board representative, Christy confirmed that the Rape
Crisis Centre is to be called in to counsel the three alleged
victims, while counselling services are also to be provided for their
families. The demolition of the female unit at Dundrum, for which
Burke is pressing, has yet to be agreed.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)