Important communication

27 July 2021

You may be aware from news reports of yesterday’s sentencing of Jack Manning (85) at the Circuit Criminal Court. Manning had pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecently assaulting four of his pupils at CBS Westland Row between 1972 and 1975. Manning was one of the founders of the Rathfarnham Concert Band Society and was the music director from its foundation in 1980 to 1999.

The crimes committed by Jack Manning on young pupils at Westland Row were abhorrent. The devastation and destruction that his actions caused to so many people is unforgivable.

The RCBS Committee did not become aware of the allegations against Jack Manning until they were reported in the media. We are sickened by what was revealed and pained to learn of the devastating and long-lasting impact this man’s abuse has had on the lives of the victims and survivors and on the lives of their families and friends.

I want to strongly urge anyone impacted by the abuse of Jack Manning, or who has any concerns regarding the matter, to contact the Gardai, Tusla, or the Society’s Designated Liaison Person (DLP) or Child Protection Officer and Deputy DLP (see contact details below).

We want to reassure you that should any former or current member come forward to the Band with allegations or concerns of any abuse during their time in RCBS, they will be treated with the utmost compassion and seriousness and the matter will be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately.

The safety and wellbeing of our members is our primary concern and the Rathfarnham Concert Band Society, a society of us its members, is wholly committed to the safeguarding of all its members. We have in place robust child protection policies which can be viewed here: https://www.rcbs.ie/childprotection/ Our Child Safeguarding Statement is available here: https://www.rcbs.ie/wpcontent/uploads/2019/03/RCBS-Child-Safeguarding-Statement-March-2018.pdf

If there is anything else we can do to be of support to you at this time please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Contact Details:

An Garda Síochána: 1800 555 222

Tusla: www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/

Rathfarnham Concert Band Designated Liaison Person (DLP): Daire Keogh dlprcbs@gmail.com

Rathfarnham Concert Band Child Protection Officer and Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP): Mary O Flaherty cporcbs@outlook.com

One in Four – a therapy and support service for people who experienced childhood sexual abuse: https://www.oneinfour.ie/ Phone: +353 1 6624070

HSE National Counselling Service – includes Counselling and Psychotherapy for Adults who experienced childhood abuse or neglect (CaPA): https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/ Phone: 1800 234110

Rape Crisis Centre: https://www.rapecrisishelp.ie/