35 allegations against 10 priests, but no convictions

A TOTAL of 35 allegations were levelled against 10 priests in the Dromore diocese since 1975, but none of the priests have ever been convicted.

The review by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NSBCCC) pointed out that of the 10 priests, three were dead while four of the remaining seven were “out of ministry”. A further three “exercise limited ministry under tightly controlled and restricted conditions and never to children or young people”.

Bishop John McAreavey has been in place since 1999 and most of the cases of alleged abuse examined were under his leadership.