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BBC Spotlight: Second 'IRA rape victim' speaks out BBC Spotlight: Second 'IRA rape victim' speaks out
(about 5 hours later)
A second alleged sex abuse victim who claims he was raped by a member of the IRA has spoken out to criticise how republicans dealt with his case.A second alleged sex abuse victim who claims he was raped by a member of the IRA has spoken out to criticise how republicans dealt with his case.
Paudie McGahon told BBC Spotlight he was subjected to an IRA "kangaroo court" after a Sinn Féin representative was told of the allegations.Paudie McGahon told BBC Spotlight he was subjected to an IRA "kangaroo court" after a Sinn Féin representative was told of the allegations.
He said the IRA offered to kill the alleged rapist but instead exiled him.He said the IRA offered to kill the alleged rapist but instead exiled him.
It follows similar allegations made to the programme by Belfast woman Maíria Cahill last year.It follows similar allegations made to the programme by Belfast woman Maíria Cahill last year.
It is five months since Ms Cahill waived her right to anonymity as an alleged victim of sexual abuse to tell her story of how Sinn Féin and the IRA dealt with her claims that she had been raped by an alleged IRA man when she was 16.It is five months since Ms Cahill waived her right to anonymity as an alleged victim of sexual abuse to tell her story of how Sinn Féin and the IRA dealt with her claims that she had been raped by an alleged IRA man when she was 16.
Since then republicans have repeatedly questioned her version of events.Since then republicans have repeatedly questioned her version of events.
But now, BBC Spotlight has conducted an interview with another man who tells a remarkably similar story. This time, the case is alleged to have taken place in the Republic of Ireland.But now, BBC Spotlight has conducted an interview with another man who tells a remarkably similar story. This time, the case is alleged to have taken place in the Republic of Ireland.
'Remain silent''Remain silent'
Paudie McGahon is from County Louth, and grew up in a strongly republican household.Paudie McGahon is from County Louth, and grew up in a strongly republican household.
He said IRA members would use his family home often as a safe house.He said IRA members would use his family home often as a safe house.
He alleges that when he was 17, an IRA man, from a well-known republican family in Belfast, abused him and then threatened him to remain silent.He alleges that when he was 17, an IRA man, from a well-known republican family in Belfast, abused him and then threatened him to remain silent.
Recalling his experiences, Mr McGahon told the programme what happened when he tried to escape from his alleged rapist.Recalling his experiences, Mr McGahon told the programme what happened when he tried to escape from his alleged rapist.
"He says 'listen to me, if you ever open your mouth about this to anybody you'll be found on the border roads'."He says 'listen to me, if you ever open your mouth about this to anybody you'll be found on the border roads'.
"Many's a person asks me 'why didn't you go to a doctor? Why didn't you go to this?'"Many's a person asks me 'why didn't you go to a doctor? Why didn't you go to this?'
"This isn't stuff that you walk into a doctor and say, 'your man raped me last night'," Mr McGahon said."This isn't stuff that you walk into a doctor and say, 'your man raped me last night'," Mr McGahon said.
He told the programme he felt he could not report the matter to the Garda (Irish police).He told the programme he felt he could not report the matter to the Garda (Irish police).
"How can you report it to the guards, when you have been threatened keep your mouth shut? So I hid it all, I hid it all," he said."How can you report it to the guards, when you have been threatened keep your mouth shut? So I hid it all, I hid it all," he said.
'In custody''In custody'
Mr McGahon said that for years, he told no-one about what had happened.Mr McGahon said that for years, he told no-one about what had happened.
But in 2002, he said he broke his silence on the alleged abuse, and a local Sinn Féin representative was informed.But in 2002, he said he broke his silence on the alleged abuse, and a local Sinn Féin representative was informed.
Mr McGahon said he was then subjected to an IRA 'kangaroo court' in his family home.Mr McGahon said he was then subjected to an IRA 'kangaroo court' in his family home.
In a second meeting that he said he had with the IRA, Mr McGahon claimed he was told that the alleged perpetrator had admitted abusing not just him, but others too and that he had been detained by republicans.In a second meeting that he said he had with the IRA, Mr McGahon claimed he was told that the alleged perpetrator had admitted abusing not just him, but others too and that he had been detained by republicans.
Mr McGahon told the programme that the IRA man said: "We have him in custody. We have other comrades standing over him at the minute.Mr McGahon told the programme that the IRA man said: "We have him in custody. We have other comrades standing over him at the minute.
"He is in custody and he is not going anywhere until we have dealt with him. But by the way, he has admitted to doing what he did, plus other people.""He is in custody and he is not going anywhere until we have dealt with him. But by the way, he has admitted to doing what he did, plus other people."
'Bullet''Bullet'
Mr McGahon also spoke to BBC Spotlight about the 'options' he says were outlined to him by the IRA.Mr McGahon also spoke to BBC Spotlight about the 'options' he says were outlined to him by the IRA.
"The first one was for them to deal with it - put a bullet in the back of his head," Mr McGahon said."The first one was for them to deal with it - put a bullet in the back of his head," Mr McGahon said.
"It was said with such ease you knew that it wouldn't be a problem.""It was said with such ease you knew that it wouldn't be a problem."
Mr McGahon said it was eventually agreed that the man would be expelled to England.Mr McGahon said it was eventually agreed that the man would be expelled to England.
BBC Spotlight asked Sinn Féin whether the party leadership had been informed of this case, and if so, when.BBC Spotlight asked Sinn Féin whether the party leadership had been informed of this case, and if so, when.
The party did not answer that specific question but said that "at all times, those concerned acted in the best interests of the victims of alleged abuse, consistent with party guidelines".The party did not answer that specific question but said that "at all times, those concerned acted in the best interests of the victims of alleged abuse, consistent with party guidelines".
'Live investigation''Live investigation'
On Tuesday morning, Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd told BBC Radio Ulster he would not comment on the case ahead of the broadcast. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said that Sinn Féin's priority was to support victims of abuse whether that abuse was historical or contemporary and that the party would support victims in their efforts to get truth and justice.
However, he said he understood that a live Garda investigation into the case is continuing. "Sinn Féin has rigorous child protection guidelines. At all times the Sinn Féin representatives seek to support the victims of alleged abuse," Mr Adams said.
"Anyone with information in relation to that matter should bring it to the guards, and if the guards have enough information, they should bring guilty parties before the courts," Mr O'Dowd said. "We believe that all victims of abuse should be supported to access the justice system and social services and that the most appropriate bodies to deal with these allegations are the Gardaí [Irish police]and social services.
"I have previously acknowledged that the actions of republicans in the past in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse were inadequate and inappropriate."
Mr Adams said Paudie McGahon "clearly feels badly let down".
"Nothing that I may say will change this but it is a matter of deep regret to me," he said.
"I hope that justice is served and support delivered to Mr McGahon."
In his BBC Spotlight interview, Mr McGahon raises serious questions about how republicans have dealt with allegations of sexual abuse, and what that means for potential victims.In his BBC Spotlight interview, Mr McGahon raises serious questions about how republicans have dealt with allegations of sexual abuse, and what that means for potential victims.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister David Ford has ruled out holding a cross-border review into allegations of sexual abuse by members of the IRA while individual agencies of the justice system in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland conduct their inquiries.
BBC Spotlight will be broadcast BBC One Northern Ireland at 22:45 GMT on Tuesday 10 March.BBC Spotlight will be broadcast BBC One Northern Ireland at 22:45 GMT on Tuesday 10 March.