Archbishop ‘unable’ to tell child advocate of priest’s past

The Archbishop of Dublin has defended his decision not to tell a child-protection advocate that a priest in her parish was on restricted ministry due to allegations of child sex abuse.

The priest has now been removed from ministry after new information came to light about the abuse incidents. There are two complaints against the priest, given the pseudonym Fr Benito, in the Murphy Commission report. One refers to the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy in 1988. The second is an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. The DPP has, to date, decided not to prosecute in either case.

Following the allegations and under the advice of the Granada Institute which works with sex offenders, the priest had been placed on restricted ministry. That was under the condition he avoid informal relationships and friendships with young people and be supervised by an experienced priest for at least two years.