Donegal bishop 'unaware' of abuse allegations

A Co Donegal bishop has issued a statement insisting he was not aware of allegations of child sex abuse against a priest in his diocese prior to being informed by gardai.

Bishop Phillip Boyce of Raphoe is to feature in a BBC television documentary this evening investigating claims that the Church was aware of the abuse, but did nothing to stop it.

Fr Eugene Greene was jailed for 12 years in April 2000 after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting children in Co Donegal parishes between 1965 and 1982.

Tonight's documentary will focus on allegations that Bishop Boyce first received a complaint of abuse in 1995, three years before a garda investigation began.

He says he was aware of rumours about Fr Greene when he became Bishop in 1995, but despite meeting a parish priest and a school teacher, he could get no confirmation of them.

The Bishop says there is no purpose in re-opening old wounds and says his door is open to help victims.