18 allegations against 10 priests in past 37 years

A total of 18 allegations of sexual abuse were made against 10 priests in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin over the past 37 years.

The report by the Church’s child protection watchdog noted there was an absence of risk-management plans and insufficient written evidence of internal Church procedures being followed in relation to clerical sexual abuse within the diocese.

It found there was an unwarranted delay in removing one priest from ministry, while the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and panels had not been clearly and formally assigned.