A dedicated team of senior detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is to lead a criminal investigation into abuse allegations within the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, it has emerged.
Discussions have also taken place with An Garda Síochána as there may be victims in the Republic, the PSNI has confirmed.
At a press conference in Belfast on Monday, PSNI assistant Chief Constable David Beck said a “small number” of victims had come forward.
However, he added that the scale of the investigation could be “quite significant”.
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Last week, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Trevor Gribben, resigned over a failure to deal adequately with child protection issues.
A report by the church’s safeguarding team identified a “number of situations between 2009 and 2021, with one as late as 2022, where we have failed to deliver an adequate safeguarding service”.
It involved three Presbyterian congregations, on both sides of the Border.
During Monday’s PSNI press conference, a direct appeal was made to alleged victims to come forward.
“We recognise this may be difficult and you may not be ready. That is okay. When you are ready, we are here to listen to and support you,” Mr Beck said.
“You don’t have to come to a police station, we can come to you, on your terms. You will be treated with sensitivity, respect and professionalism.”
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has about 185,000 members, with about 22,000 of those in the Republic.
Mr Beck said there was the “potential for this to be a cross-Border and cross-jurisdictional investigation”.
“I have spoken to my counterpart in An Garda Síochána today to ensure this is co-ordinated and joined up,” he added.
The PSNI investigation team will aim to make sure that “perpetrators are held to account” but it will also look at whether criminal offences were committed by those responsible for safeguarding in the church, media were told.
The church welcomed the police investigation and said it would co-operate fully.
There has been criticism over the past week by safeguarding experts about the church’s response to the allegations, with calls for more transparency and the establishment of an independent inquiry.
In a statement released following the PSNI announcement, a church spokesman said it believed the criminal investigation will provide a “thorough, trusted and transparent outcome”.
“We will co-operate fully with the investigation. We will make available all relevant files, reports and information to assist police with their inquiries,” he said.
The PSNI confirmed last week that it was involved in discussions with the Presbyterian Church after concerns were raised by the church following the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sex offences.
On Monday, Mr Beck said the PSNI was now looking at other potential offenders.
“Over the last number of days we have been working with statutory partners to formalise a co-ordinated response to address the matters that have come to light as a result of the recent announcement by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland,” he said.
“My immediate priority and that of the PSNI is the protection and the safeguarding of anyone who may have been affected.”
He said he had established an investigation team under the supervision of an experienced senior investigating officer from the Public Protection Branch to lead what would be a criminal investigation.
“The role of the PSNI will be to investigate all criminal offences and to work closely with statutory partners under joint arrangements, to ensure victims can access the criminal justice process, and perpetrators are held to account.”
Commissioner designate for Victims of Crime, Geraldine Hanna, who also attended the press conference, said it was crucial for those affected to access the support and services they need.
“At the heart of this story are individuals who have been let down by one of the most important institutions in their lives,” she said.
“Their voice and their wellbeing must be the central driving force for the police and all other agencies involved in this process.”
