A deceased Jesuit priest accused of abuse served in Donegal in the 1980s, it has emerged.
In a statement issued this afternoon, the Diocesan Administrator Fr Kevin Gillespie says the priest was one of a number named by the Jesuits as having been the subject of what have been deemed credible allegations of abuse against minors.
Amongst those named in today’s statement is Fr Diarmuid Ó Péicín, a Jesuit priest who ministered in the Raphoe diocese from 1980 to 1984, serving on Tory Island.
In a statement, Fr Kevin Gillespie says the information now placed in the public forum by the Jesuits is hugely disappointing for those who held Fr Ó Péicín in such esteem, not least for his advocacy for the rights of islanders.
He says it adds to the sad litany of hurt compounded by the failure to act adequately to protect the children entrusted in their care, and sincerely apologise to those who have been directly affected, their families and wider community.
He concludes by encouraging anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities, the diocesan Safeguarding Office or the Jesuit Safeguarding Office immediately.
The statement reads:
“The Diocese of Raphoe wishes to acknowledge the Statement issued today by the Jesuits naming deceased members who have been the subject of what have been deemed credible allegations of abuse against minors. Amongst those named is Fr Diarmuid Ó Péicín, a Jesuit priest who ministered in this diocese from 1980 – 1984. The information now placed in the public forum by the Jesuits is hugely disappointing for those who held Fr Ó Péicín in such esteem, not least for his advocacy for the rights of islanders. It adds to the sad litany of hurt compounded by the failure to act adequately to protect the children entrusted in their care. I sincerely apologise to those who have been directly affected, their families and wider community.
“The purpose of this release of information by the Jesuits is to encourage others to come forward who may not have had the strength to do so before now. Therefore, I encourage anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities, the diocesan Safeguarding Office or the Jesuit Safeguarding Office immediately.”
To report a concern, or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical, please contact Margaret Northage, the Designated Liaison Person for the diocese, on: 086 2183 011.
To contact the Irish Jesuits directly:
Email: safeguarding@jesuit.ie
Helpline mobile number: 00-353-83-0874254 (8am to 8pm daily, including weekends)
Jesuit Provincialate reception (9am to 4pm, weekdays): 01-4987333
You are advised also to contact statutory authorities:
Tusla (Child & Family Agency) – Tel: 074 9102233
Gardaí National Protective Services Bureau – Tel: 01 6663430/6663435 or
email : GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie
Free Counselling & Support is available through Towards Healing, an independent organisation providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland.
Freephone – RoI: 1800 303416
Freephone – N.Ireland & UK: 0800 0963315
Freephone – Hearing Impaired: 085 8022859
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)