Fears Alleged Attack at Dublin School May Have Been Filmed
There are fears the alleged sexual assault last Thursday of a 13 year old boy at a Palmerstown boarding school may have been filmed.
The Irish Times - which broke the story - reports that the phones of eight students suspected of being involved were confiscated.
King's Hospital in Palmerstown is being criticised over claims it took five days to alert authorities.
The alleged attack took place on Thursday but Gardai weren't notified until Tuesday of this week.
Detectives reportedly fear key evidence may have been compromised because of the alleged lag time.
Education Minister Richard Bruton says Gardai and Tusla will look into the claims.
In a statement this evening the school said, "We cannot make any statement which might prejudice those investigations. However, it is imperative that certain inaccuracies reported in the media which have caused understandable anxiety to parents of our pupils and to the wider public are corrected.
"The safety, health and welfare of the student concerned, and all students have from the very outset been and will continue to be the priority for every member of staff at The King's Hospital.
"The management and staff have actioned the correct procedures and requirements, including liaising with the appropriate agencies.
"We also ensured that the parents of the alleged victim and of the students allegedly involved were briefed as soon as possible.
"At no stage did the management and staff fail to act on legal advice. Neither did the school seek advice from the State agencies by using hypothetical scenarios.
The King's Hospital will not make any further comment until the investigations are complete."