Gardai received names of paedophile priests

The Garda Siochana has confirmed a representative of the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, handed over the names of 17 suspected paedophile priests in November 1995.

The force said that the meeting took place at the Archbishop’s Residence in Drumcondra, Co Dublin, on the request of the Archbishop’s representatives.

In a statement the force said: ‘‘An Garda Siochana then commenced investigations based on the information supplied and discovered that some of those reported were already under Garda investigation.

‘‘As a result of all of these investigations a number of priests were convicted and sentenced by the courts. In some others the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that, as there was insufficient evidence, there should be no prosecutions.’’

It added: ‘‘In a number of other cases the alleged victims did not wish to cooperate with the Garda investigation.’’

Meanwhile, the National Conference of Priests of Ireland has called on all victims of clerical abuse to come forward.

In a statement, they said all victims should now go to the Gardai or the relevant health authorities.

The conference said it was determined this important issue was accepted and received an appropriate response.

The abuse of children is a dreadful crime and an abuse of trust, they said.

It is imperative that the Church creates an environment where children are safe, the statement concluded.