Latest news with #StatuteofLimitations
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach says Government determined to make religious orders pay compensation over abuse in schools
He made the pledge a day after Education Minister Helen McEntee set up a new Commission of Investigation - this time into sexual abuse in secondary schools, both lay and religious. It follows a scoping inquiry which heard 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all areas of the country. Micheál Martin said accounting and structuring issues - which often put assets, cash and property beyond reach - are being examined "in considerable detail'. The Attorney General is also scrutinising legal levers, "with a view to enabling Government to have the powers ultimately to deal with those particular mechanisms," he said. These could be used "to make sure that we can ensure that financial capacity is retained in the country and made available to provide compensation," Mr Martin said, answering Labour leader Ivana Bacik. In the late 1990s, the State had amended the Statute of Limitations on a related issue, "but more is needed, and hat's acknowledged," he said. "Some of the accounts in the scoping inquiry were quite horrific, but many survivors ere very clear that they wanted those who were responsible to be accountable and to contribute,' he said. Ms Bacik said religious orders had for years been carrying out "a perfectly legal practice of transferring their assets and their property'. She said it was "the developer's wife syndrome", that puts assets out of reach, "and it's not acceptable." As of last September, religious orders have paid only 16pc of institutional redress costs that were owed, she said. ADVERTISEMENT "We know the money is there. Religious orders involved in historic abuse, sold more than 75 properties worth a total of over €90 million since 2016,' Ms Bacik said. "We know these orders and their associated trusts own vast quantities of property and assets around the State." Ms McEntee has meanwhile pledged that the new schools sex abuse inquiry will not involve endless extensions and runaway costs. "I do believe we are learning," the Minister said, when asked about the Farrelly report into the Grace case, which is set to top a taxpayer cost of €20 million and which ran to eight years with repeated extensions - only to deliver a report of 2,000 pages, with no executive summary, as Minister Norma Foley had requested. Ms McEntee claimed that religious orders would contribute to the vital element of redress - despite the failure of religious orders to live up to their responsibilities for a quarter of a century now. She offered no ceiling for compensation payments, or any minimums for church contributions, but said the Government would be looking to identify assets held by religious organisations. The minister was vague, however, about forcing redress, declining to refer to sequestration or seizure of assets - which the Attorney General has been asked to study by Ms Foley. She said only that the Attorney General had been involved in drawing up the terms of reference and guidance - which sets a limit of five years for the project, with a requirement for an interim report after two years. Mr Justice Michael McGrath will chair the commission. Ms McEntee said she wanted to thank every single survivor for their bravery in coming forward, acknowledging the late Mark Ryan and his brother David, "who were absolutely instrumental." The findings of the scoping inquiry were "nothing short of devastating," she said. "What is clear is that survivors want accountability. "They deserve accountability, and that is why I am announcing the establishment of a Commission for Investigation." The inquiry will begin this work "in the coming months," she said, beginning with a survey of survivors that will be oriented towards their needs. The chair will be assisted by two commissioners who will look at the handling of sex abuse claims in both religious and State schools, while engaging with survivors. The latter taking of evidence will be "anonymised, non-adversaral and with no cross-examiniation," the Minister insisted, adding that it would involve a sampling approach. The terms of reference were set out "to ensure that we do not go over time", she said, but the redress would be a "significant amount," she said. Ms McEntee added: "We are talking in the tens of millions."
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Virginia Giuffre's family issues new tribute after Andrew accuser died by suicide & launch ‘public memorial'
VIRGINIA Giuffre's family has paid a touching tribute as part of a GoFundMe appeal to start a public memorial. It comes just days after was tragically found dead at her remote farmhouse, an hour north of Perth, on April 25 after years of torment. 2 Virginia Giuffre, with a photo of herself as a teen, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Rex 2 Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell Credit: AFP In a statement, the family said: "Dear Friends, Family, Survivors, and Supporters. "First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our beloved Virginia. "We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many. The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always. "Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger— that is what Virginia would have wanted. "With that, we think it is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark of legacy. "Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle. "While her estate is being settled in Australia, her family in America is dedicated to memorializing and celebrating her spirit. "It is our intention with this fund that we create a public memorial not just for family but for survivors and supporters from all over to visit and share space with Virginia. Most read in The Sun "She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact. "Virginia was adamant about seeing real change in active legislation. One of the laws she was driven to change was the Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse. 'Statute of Limitations is a convenient law for perpetrators.' Virginia Roberts. "It takes years for survivors to summon the courage to come forward and express their trauma. "The Statute often expires before, stripping them of their voice and right to pursue justice. So many survivors don't come forward because of this. "We aim to drive that pursuit of justice and propose new legislation for change. "It was Virginia's life's purpose to continue the fight and break the chains of silence! We will continue that mission with all our heart and soul. Together." The tragic tributes come after Giuffre's sudden death in April, which opened a Pandora's Box of unanswered questions. She was the most prominent victim of the notorious Epstein was found dead by police before her family revealed she had died by suicide. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Virginia Giuffre's family issues new tribute after Andrew accuser died by suicide & launch ‘public memorial'
VIRGINIA Giuffre's family has paid a touching tribute as part of a GoFundMe appeal to start a public memorial. It comes just days after Giuffre was tragically found dead at her remote farmhouse, an hour north of Perth, on April 25 after years of torment. 2 2 In a statement, the family said: "Dear Friends, Family, Survivors, and Supporters. "First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our beloved Virginia. "We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many. The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always. "Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger— that is what Virginia would have wanted. "With that, we think it is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark of legacy. "Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle. "While her estate is being settled in Australia, her family in America is dedicated to memorializing and celebrating her spirit. "It is our intention with this fund that we create a public memorial not just for family but for survivors and supporters from all over to visit and share space with Virginia. "She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact. "Virginia was adamant about seeing real change in active legislation. One of the laws she was driven to change was the Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse. 'Statute of Limitations is a convenient law for perpetrators.' Virginia Roberts. "It takes years for survivors to summon the courage to come forward and express their trauma. "The Statute often expires before, stripping them of their voice and right to pursue justice. So many survivors don't come forward because of this. "We aim to drive that pursuit of justice and propose new legislation for change. "It was Virginia's life's purpose to continue the fight and break the chains of silence! We will continue that mission with all our heart and soul. Together." The tragic tributes come after Giuffre's sudden death in April, which opened a Pandora's Box of unanswered questions. She was the most prominent victim of the notorious Epstein was found dead by police before her family revealed she had died by suicide. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Virginia Giuffre's family issues new tribute after Andrew accuser died by suicide & launch ‘public memorial'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VIRGINIA Giuffre's family has paid a touching tribute as part of a GoFundMe appeal to start a public memorial. It comes just days after Giuffre was tragically found dead at her remote farmhouse, an hour north of Perth, on April 25 after years of torment. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Virginia Giuffre, with a photo of herself as a teen, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Rex 2 Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell Credit: AFP In a statement, the family said: "Dear Friends, Family, Survivors, and Supporters. "First and foremost, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our beloved Virginia. "We know Virginia was not just a bright light to us but to many. The lives she touched, the strength, and the fight she has given us will live with us always. "Though our family and many are experiencing an immeasurable sense of grief, we know that this will make us stronger— that is what Virginia would have wanted. "With that, we think it is imperative that we find a way to leave her mark of legacy. "Virginia, through her fight and testimony, was able to amass settlements, but unfortunately, through this tragedy, as many of you may know, funds and estates can take years to settle. "While her estate is being settled in Australia, her family in America is dedicated to memorializing and celebrating her spirit. "It is our intention with this fund that we create a public memorial not just for family but for survivors and supporters from all over to visit and share space with Virginia. "She deserves to have a permanent mark in this world that demonstrates her lasting impact. "Virginia was adamant about seeing real change in active legislation. One of the laws she was driven to change was the Statute of Limitations for sexual abuse. 'Statute of Limitations is a convenient law for perpetrators.' Virginia Roberts. "It takes years for survivors to summon the courage to come forward and express their trauma. "The Statute often expires before, stripping them of their voice and right to pursue justice. So many survivors don't come forward because of this. "We aim to drive that pursuit of justice and propose new legislation for change. "It was Virginia's life's purpose to continue the fight and break the chains of silence! We will continue that mission with all our heart and soul. Together." The tragic tributes come after Giuffre's sudden death in April, which opened a Pandora's Box of unanswered questions. She was the most prominent victim of the notorious Epstein was found dead by police before her family revealed she had died by suicide. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Telegraph
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Russell Brand: ‘My behaviour was normal in the diabolical culture'
Russell Brand has said his 'promiscuous' behaviour was considered normal in a 'diabolical culture' after being charged with rape and sexual assault. The comedian and actor insisted he was innocent of the allegations, but had nevertheless been 'captured by a kind of darkness' in a society that celebrated the 'relentless pursuit of pleasure'. Brand, 50, was charged on Friday with two counts of sexual assault, one count of indecent assault, one count of rape and one count of oral rape over a six-year period. 'In those giddy and hedonistic days, those ludicrous, dark days… I must have been captured by a kind of darkness,' he said in a two-minute clip posted on his social media accounts. 'But remember, for 22-and-a-half years, I've been drug and alcohol free, and I have a pretty good memory of accounts. 'I also know that I am a person that very much respects the idea of consent. Also I do respect the rights of the complainants to total anonymity and total privacy. 'I have complete respect for the system of justice and will be fully cooperative, knowing in my heart I'm completely innocent of these allegations.' I don't believe in the Statute of Limitations; I believe that if somebody is guilty of doing something, no matter how long ago it was, justice must be served. That is why I can confidently say that I am innocent in regards to the allegations made against me. Christ be… — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) April 7, 2025 Brand, who starred in St Trinian's and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, claimed that his 'hedonism and promiscuity' had been considered normal in a culture that celebrated a 'kind of casual godlessness' and 'false gods'. 'I lived within jurisdiction of a broken and… ultimately, I'm not going to say evil, but somewhat diabolical culture that I participated in ways that were normal in that culture, in all manner of activity that amounts to hedonism and promiscuity,' he said. Calling himself a 'broken man and sinner', Brand admitted that his former lifestyle had been 'exploitative' because people slept with him because of his fame. Brand is accused of sexually abusing four women in London and the Bournemouth area between 1999 and 2005, and is expected to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court next month. Detectives launched an 18-month investigation into the actor in 2023, after The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches published an investigation in which several woman accused him of sexual assault and emotional abuse. He denied the allegations.
