IRELAND
Irish Voice
By Sean O' Driscoll
A Sligo parish priest has “stepped aside” from his duties as a result of a child sexual abuse case in the U.S.
The resignation of Father Brian Bernard Hanley follows an internal church examination as a result of the recent Ferns report on child sexual abuse in Ireland.
Father Hanley, who has not been named in Irish newspapers, is to remain away from his ministry until the church finishes an investigation into allegations made in Los Angeles. A mother has accused him of sexually abusing her son and daughter in 1965.
One Sligo person familiar with the case said Father Hanley was known as an “old school fire and brimstone priest” who strongly disapproved of unmarried couples living together. He has strongly rejected the allegations made in Los Angeles.
The Bishop of Elphin in Ireland, Dr. Christopher Jones, stressed that no investigation had yet been launched and that guilt or innocence had yet to be determined.