A review into child protection measures in Diocese of Killaloe- which takes in 13 Tipperary parishes- shows there have been 65 allegations of abuse recorded against 19 priests since 1975.
A review into child protection measures in Diocese of Killaloe- which takes in 13 Tipperary parishes- shows there have been 65 allegations of abuse recorded against 19 priests since 1975.
13 of the priests are now deceased; four were promptly removed from active ministry while the remaining two still ministers as neither reached the threshold of a “credible allegation”.
The report also looked at the records of one now deceased priest and the 26 known complainants who allege he abused them between 1955 and the mid 1980’s.
He remained in active ministry until his retirement in 1993 and most victims came forward after Willie Walsh was appointed Bishop in 1994.
Today’s Review of Safeguarding Practice singled out the Roscrea native for huge praise stating he was “personally responsible for good support work” and that he “engaged in a very pastoral and caring way with complainants”.
The Diocese has now fully met 44 out of 48 criteria for dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
The remaining four criteria including the need for a whistleblower statement have not been finalised.
However Bishop Kieran O’Reilly who apologised to all victims in the diocese insists it will be completed and urged anyone who has concerns in regards to allegations to make contact with their local parish or diocesan office adding there are a list of numbers now available to people.