McDowell: Clarification needed on procedures for priests who abuse

The Government has asked all Bishops to clarify their procedures regarding the removal of priests accused of abuse.

The move follows remarks made by Archbishop of Tuam Dr Michael Neary that he would not have asked a priest in his diocese to stand aside, had allegations of rape made against the priest not become public.

It emerged yesterday that the Gardaí are investigating allegations that the priest raped a pregnant woman twice, about 20 years ago.

Minister for Justice McDowell says the Government will be looking for answers from the Bishops because, he said, “the public expect that there would be proper guidelines, and enforcement of these guidelines throughout the Catholic dioceses in Ireland, and in every other religious denomination”.

Meanwhile, Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty has confirmed that 26 priests have been investigated for child sex abuse over the past 50 years in his diocese, but only one has been convicted.

Nearly 8% of priests that have served in the Derry diocese since the 1950s have been accused of abuse.

Dr Hegarty says one priest in his diocese is currently being investigated by police and has taken absence of leave from his ministry.