Unnamed man allowed High Court challenge over sexual abuse notice

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

An unnamed man was allowed to challenge a notice concerning alleged sexual abuse before the High Court. The proceedings were reported on 12 May 2021. The man said the Child and Family Agency had concluded his sister’s allegations were founded, despite his denials. A specified-information notice was issued to the National Garda Vetting Bureau after that finding.

The man said the agency’s investigation was flawed. He had successfully appealed its finding, with an appeal panel holding that his denials had not been properly considered. The panel also noted that the social worker who made the finding had wrongly said there was no evidence supporting his claim that the allegations followed a family conflict.

He is seeking judicial review of the agency’s refusal to rescind the notice and an order restricting disclosure while the case continues. Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted permission on an ex-parte basis and returned the matter to July.