Gardaí issue appeal for victims of abuse by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Trevor Gribben

Gardaí have issued an appeal to anyone who may have experienced abuse at the hands of figures within in the Presbyterian church in Ireland.

The force has been liaising with counterparts in the Police Service of Northern Ireland about abuse in the church since the end of last year.

"An Garda Síochána invites anyone resident in this jurisdiction who believes they were a victim of a criminal act relating to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland to contact us either at their local garda station or the Garda National Protective Services Bureau," a spokesperson said.

"Your contact will be handled with sensitivity and empathy."

It said victims or people with information about abuse can make contact:

- by emailing [e-mail] 

- by phoning the Sexual Crime Management Unit on [phone] or (01) 666 34353

- by phoning the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222. This is a confidential and free service available 24/7 

- by calling to your local Garda Station 

"An Garda Síochána will deal with any matters reported by complainants in a sensitive manner and will, where possible, progress matters through investigation," the spokesperson said.

"An Garda Síochána will endeavour to effectively deal with all contacts, however there may be limitations as to the action that could be taken in some cases due to matters such as the unavailability of evidence over time or suspects and/or witnesses being deceased."

The spokesperson did say that gardaí have not received any direct complaints to date.

In November 2025, the PSNI launched a criminal investigation following safeguarding concerns within the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.

At that point, the church's moderator, Trevor Gribben, resigned over "serious and significant failings" in safeguarding within the church between 2009 and 2022.

The church last year said it would make "all relevant files, reports and information to assist police with their inquiries" but that it would not be able to make any further comment related to the inquiry.