Report shows calls for sex abuse inquiry persist

Calls for an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse by a former hospital consultant are persisting, the briefing materials prepared by the Department of Health for new Minister Dr Leo Varadkar reveal. According to the documents, there have been calls for an inquiry into the allegations. A report was prepared by retired High Court Judge TC Smyth, but it was never published for legal reasons, the papers state. “As there are currently ongoing criminal proceedings against the former consultant it is not appropriate for the Department to take any action that could in any way prejudice these proceedings.” The trial…