This statement contains information on Kilmore Diocesan priests, as well as information regarding priests from Religious Congregations and other Dioceses who at some time held appointments in Kilmore, or who carried out short-term supply ministry without a formal appointment from the diocese, and against whom allegations or suspicions have arisen, even where the allegation does not refer to their time in the Diocese.

 

Based on the information currently available the following statistics have been compiled regarding the period between 1947 (the earliest year to which an allegation refers) and 1st December 2009. During that period:

 

· Allegations have been made against 6 priests of the diocese.  Two of these priests are deceased. One is out of ministry and one has left ministry.

· An allegation was made against one priest from another diocese who held an appointment in the diocese.

· Allegations were made against three religious who may have done supply in the diocese from time to time.

· All allegations received have been reported to the statutory authorities.

· Following Garda investigations files have been sent to the DPP in the cases of 4 of the Diocesan priests against whom allegations were made. In three of these cases the DPP decided not to proceed. In one case the DPP initiated proceedings and this resulted in the priest being convicted in the criminal court.

· One Religious, whose Order is located in the diocese, was convicted in the courts here and in Northern Ireland. He is deceased.

 

When Pope Benedict XVI met with the Irish Bishops on the occasion of their last ad limina visit he said, “In your continuing efforts to deal effectively with this problem, it is important to establish the truth of what happened in the past, to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it from occurring again, to ensure that the principles of justices are fully respected, and above all, to bring healing to the victims and all those affected by these egregious crimes”.

  

Bishop O’Reilly repeats his appeal that anyone with information regarding child sexual abuse by priests in Kilmore make contact with one of the Diocesan Designated Persons, the Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive or a counselling or support service of their choice.

 

To obtain the relevant contact numbers please click here.