IRELAND
Irish Independent
Sarah MacDonald
April 6 2017
Three religious congregations have been severely criticised for their child-safeguarding practices by the child protection watchdog.
The National Board for Safeguarding Children found the Norbertine order, the De La Salle brothers and the Sisters of Nazareth required “urgent corrective action” in their protection of children.
Notorious paedophile Fr Brendan Smyth was a member of the Norbertines. The audit of the Norbertines, who were formerly based at Kilnacrott Abbey in Co Cavan, was published by the National Board (NBSCCCI) on Tuesday. Reviewers refer to the order as “notorious” for its “mismanagement” of Smyth, who died in prison in 1997.
Criticising the Nobertines’ “significant history of poor child-safeguarding practice”, the child protection watchdog reveals it looked at a total of 103 child safeguarding concerns or allegations in relation to four Norbertine priests.
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