Watchdog reports highest rate of abuse allegations against members of Catholic Church in 10 years

The national board said that complaints were made in 65 instances against Diocesan personnel and 187 times against members of religious congregations. File picture

A total of 252 allegations of abuse against Catholic Church members were reported to its National Board for Safeguarding Children in Ireland in the last year, with most incidents from the 1960s to the 1980s.

The Church’s child safety watchdog’s annual report highlights how the figures from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, were the most recorded in a 12-month period since 2014.

The national board said that, for the first time, it was possible to publish figures showing that complaints were made in 65 instances against Diocesan personnel and 187 times against members of religious congregations.

In 183 of these cases, sexual abuse was the common form of abuse alleged. A further 26 allegations of physical abuse were made, along with 17 of emotional abuse, one case of neglect and one of boundary violations. In 24 cases, the type of abuse was not specified.

“In some cases (particularly in relation to sexual abuse), emotional abuse is also noted on the referral form,” the report said. “While the majority of allegations relate to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, it is noted that four allegations relate to the year 2000 or later.

“Two relate to sexual abuse that is alleged to have taken place in the 2000s; one is sexual abuse alleged to have taken place in 2023; and one further allegation of physical abuse is from the 2000s.” 

The National Board noted that due to the need to comply with data protection legislation, the information is anonymised which means it cannot be certain what level of unique complaints have been made.

Following 10 years of work, CEO Teresa Devlin is leaving the role and will be replaced by Aidan Gordon. Ms Devlin, while highlighting progress that has been made by the Church in the last decade, said that the damage done by abuse remains ongoing.

“We cannot afford to think that we have finished our work in this area in Ireland. We clearly have more to do.

“I believe that there are still gaps in our practices with complainants and their families. We must accept the need to ‘transition’ to a more compassionate response.”

Mr Gordon added he hopes to build on the work of his predecessor in the role.