Statement by Bishop Colm O'Reilly, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, concerning allegations of child abuse by clergy.

(1st June 2010)

When the Policy and Standards document on Safeguarding Children for the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois was launched in April 2010 Bishop Colm O'Reilly undertook to publish statistical information on allegations of child abuse by clergy of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois.

Please see below relevant information concerning this issue:

A. Information supplied in response to questions posed by the Health Service Executive in its 2009 audit of each diocese.

· Priests against whom an allegation was made still living but not in ministry: one.
· Priests against whom an allegation was made while still alive but now dead: three.
B. The HSE Audit did not seek information on historic cases, i.e., priests against whom allegations were received after they had died.  The total number in this regard is eight. The earliest time to which a complaint refers is the mid 1940s.  Since that time a total of 304 priests have held appointments in the diocese and 12 priests have had allegations made against them.
C. Settlements of seven civil cases resulting from allegations of abuse against priests were made. The total amount paid, including legal costs, amounted to €600,970 (€230,970 in legal costs).

Bishop Colm O'Reilly said, "An important approach to tackle the credibility problem that currently besets the Church in Ireland is to operate as transparently as possible.  My objective is to do this.  I wish to assure the people of the diocese that every allegation of abuse is taken seriously and that every complainant is given an opportunity to meet with me personally.  At the heart of all that we do in this matter is the welfare and safety of children.  This is the sound child safeguarding approach and it is also based on Gospel values."

"I wish to thank the people and priests who give so much of their time in order to promote the safeguarding of children throughout our diocese.  I sincerely appreciate their goodwill in this vital matter and they can be assured of mine.  Without exception, all allegations of abuse by clergy, Church employees or volunteers are fully and promptly reported to the Garda and HSE."
Bishop Colm O'Reilly concluded "It is the intention of the diocese to publish an update of this information on an annual basis."

If you wish to report an allegation of abuse by a priest of the diocese please contact the Diocesan Designated Person, Fr. Michael Bannon at any time on 043 3324132 or the National Office for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church on (01) 5053018.  You can also directly contact An Garda Síochána and the HSE. To obtain the relevant contact numbers please click here.