Three Irish Priests Who Retired to Cork Diocese Had Abuse Convictions Overseas

By Ralph Riegel
Irish Independent
September 5, 2012

www.independent.ie/national-news/three-irish-priests-who-retired-to-cork-diocese-had-abuse-convictions-overseas-3220950.html

THREE Irish priests who retired to a Cork diocese from overseas were found to have been convicted of child abuse in another country, according to a report by Catholic Church's own watchdog.

The revelation came as the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, said that priests feel "very demoralised" by the clerical abuse controversies that have rocked the Irish church over recent years.

Dr Buckley's comments came at the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) published their review of child protection practices in the diocese.

The report found that the Diocese of Cork & Ross now boasts one of Ireland's best child protection regimes - and was found to have fully or partially complied with all 46 safety criteria.

The diocese - which includes Cork city and stretches to the Kerry border - has a total of 26 priests against whom child abuse allegations were made since 1975.

Allegations were received from a total of 50 individuals - with the bulk of the complaints involving a period stretching from the 1950s to the 1970s.

No abuse allegation involves a date after 1995.

Of the 26 priests against who allegations were levelled, eight are now deceased.

Of the remaining 18, a total of 15 are now either out of ministry or have left the priesthood.

Four priests have been convicted of offences against children since 1975.