Derry diocese:Twenty-six priests were investigated for child sex abuse over the past 50 years in the Derry diocese but only one was convicted, according to the Bishop of Derry.
At a press conference in Derry yesterday, Dr Séamus Hegarty gave information on sex abuse allegations based on a review by an independent child-care consultant. He said the diocese would continue with this external review.
The bishop said that in the past 50 years around 330 priests have served in the Derry diocese. In that period there were a number of allegations of child sex abuse many of which went "back as far as the 1950s", he said.
In total, 26 priests, nine of whom were dead, were investigated. He said two were prosecuted and one was convicted. The latter, who was not a priest of the diocese but ministered there, pleaded guilty while the second was acquitted.
There was one recent allegation against a priest which police are examining. "This priest denies the allegation but has asked to be allowed leave of absence from ministry and I have agreed to his request," said the bishop.
Bishop Hegarty said four priests had allegations against them withdrawn. "Another allegation involved mistaken identity of the priest accused. In three instances, the complainants would not identify the alleged offender. For two priests, allegations although initially presented as child sexual abuse, were determined not to be abuse." He said an allegation against another priest was not substantiated. "One priest, in ministry, stood down and was professionally assessed as giving no evidence of the possibility of risk," he added.
"Another priest made a personal settlement with a complainant, without admission of liability, and is not in active ministry. One priest is alleged to have abused outside Ireland and is no longer a priest in active ministry in this diocese."
Bishop Hegarty said that every allegation made against priests now serving in this diocese had been investigated with the necessary procedures followed. He said anyone abused by a priest or anyone else should report the case to the police.
"Our paramount concern is for the safety and welfare of children," he said. "Having met victims who have been abused and reflected on their harrowing and horrendous experiences, I cannot express often enough my heartfelt and unreserved apology."
He said the diocese was devising a robust child protection policy which was fully compliant with the national initiative Our Children: Our Church.
Bishop Hegarty described the Ferns report as "devastating". It was a "catalogue of criminal abuse and of sacred trust betrayed".
He hoped the report in some small way would help to begin a process in the "healing of the wounds that are carried by all victims".
The bishop added, "Regretfully, we are unable to change the past. However, I am determined with my brother bishops to ensure that in the present and future what happened in Ferns will never be able to happen again.
"Since 1996 guidelines are in place to ensure that all allegations of child abuse by priests are dealt with in a structured and professional manner that respects and co-operates with the civil authorities. I also welcome the positive recommendations which are made in the Judge Murphy report."
