Priest steps down amid concerns for child safety

A PRIEST attached to a Dublin parish has stepped down from his duties amid what Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said were child protection concerns.

Yesterday, the archbishop expressed his regret and concern that a Sunday newspaper had published details of the case.

He said he hoped the article “would not in any way compromise a process which has the safety of children at its core”.

The archdiocese confirmed that a priest had “voluntarily stood aside from his position in a parish” as a result of information that had given rise to concerns about the safety of children.

This, Archbishop Martin said, was in accordance with the Church’s standards and guidance document on safeguarding children.

“Standing aside is important to allow all appropriate investigations by statutory and Church authorities to proceed and does not denote innocence or guilt,’’ the archbishop said.

His statement added that “the archdiocese of Dublin does not release information to the media concerning confidential aspects of safeguarding procedures”.

“Statements are made to the parish community. This is an important part of the process,” he said.

He urged anyone who may have information or concerns regarding the safety of children to contact the Diocesan Child Protection Service at 01-8360314, or the gardaí, the Health Service Executive, a counselling service, or other support service.