IRELAND
Western People
A total of 27 priests from the Archdiocese of Tuam have been linked to allegations of child sexual abuse, the Western People can reveal. The figure is one of the highest in the country and will come as a major shock to parishioners in counties Mayo and Galway where the alleged paedophiles were based.
In a statement released at the weekend, the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, revealed that seven of the 27 priests are now deceased. The earliest date of the alleged abuse was 1940 and eight priests who had been identified as probable child sexual abusers have since left the priesthood.
Archbishop Neary said 19 priests had been based solely in the Archdiocese of Tuam while a further seven had held temporary positions or had occasionally administered in the Archdiocese. The Tuam diocese covers a vast area of South and West Mayo, including Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Westport, Castlebar, Achill Island, as well as parts of North Galway.