Only one of 14 accused priests was convicted

ONLY one of 14 priests of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois against whom allegations of child sexual abuse were made was convicted of an offence.

That priest is since deceased as are all but one of 12 of the remaining whose names were made known to the authorities. A 14th man against whom allegations were made to gardaí was not named to the diocese.

A further two priests from outside the diocese against whom allegations were made are now living within the diocese but as they are not formally attached to it, their cases were not part of the review.