News spotlight That quickly snowballed into stories


on clusters of abuse on a significant level in towns and villages throughout Fermanagh, as well as major failings in the police response to reports of abuse. Edwards has exposed shocking cases.


One woman was abused by her brother. In adulthood, she found the same brother was abusing her son. In another case, a childminder sold another little girl to up to 15 abusers. One of the most prolific paedophiles


Edwards uncovered was a former bus driver named David Sullivan. Sullivan attacked countless young boys across Fermanagh. Sometimes he attacked victims on his bus. He was also known for driving round, looking for young men seeking lifts. Sullivan was murdered in 1998. He was never charged while alive, and no one has been charged with his killing. The common factor in all the cases is


Police action after abuse reports


Enniskillen’s paper doggedly pursued an investigation into historic child abuse, reports Anton McCabe


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olice in Northern Ireland have appointed a special team of child sex abuse detectives to investigate historical


cases after an NUJ member exposed historic abuse in Co Fermanagh in a series of articles over in the Spring. Rodney Edwards (pictured) wrote the articles for the Enniskillen-based weekly The Impartial Reporter, which sells round 9,500 copies per issue in Fermanagh. The Impartial was able to do this by being local. People know who the journalists are, and can walk in off the street to meet them. The paper is working closely with Nexus NI, which provides counselling to survivors of sexual abuse. Accompanying articles on abuse it provides contact details for Nexus’ Enniskillen office. The articles have led to numbers of survivors of abuse


8 | theJournalist


seeking help. Nexus has 25 people on its waiting list in Enniskillen. The articles have had a huge reaction in the area. “I’ve got people contacting me every single day since this started,” Edwards said. “The vast majority of feedback has been positive. People want us to keep going. They are stopping me in the street, in cafes and restaurants and sending supportive messages through social media. We have received a lot of phone calls and letters, too.” The stories started by chance. “A very,


very brave man walked into our office in March, and he spoke to my colleague Jessica Campbell,” Edwards said. “He told Jessica of how he was the victim of a suspected paedophile ring in Enniskillen over 30 years ago. “Off the back of that, another victim got in touch with me to tell me how he was abused as a schoolboy by an individual, again here in Enniskillen.”


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These victims need answers and also need justice. Our paper will continue to provide a voice to victims


there have been no prosecutions, despite complaints to police. “Nobody has been put before the court or has been put behind bars as a result of these brave people going to the police,” Edwards said. “Now it’s a difficult one for police when we get into historical matters. That doesn’t escape the fact that these victims need answers and also need justice. Our paper will continue to provide a voice to victims.” He said that the credit for exposing the abuse must go to the survivors. “This is a huge issue and has come to light because of the bravery of individuals, brave men and women who have come forward to tell their story in the hope that it will help others,” he said. Edwards has been moved by the


stories he heard. “This is my home, where I live and work,” he said. “I love the people and the county. Unearthing its murky past is uncomfortable but vital. The most important resource to have in this business is the trust of your readers. It is humbling to know we have that, which is why we owe it to every single reader to always seek the truth. That’s what journalism is all about. Former Northern Ireland Assembly member for the area, Lord Maurice Morrow of the Democratic Unionist Party, has worked with one of the families affected. On the basis of Edwards’ work, he is calling for an investigation into how the authorities handled allegations. “Rodney, with determination and compassion, has broken the seal on an era of silenced, abhorrent criminality,” Morrow said. “A door to justice has been opened at last.”


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