BOARD SATISFIED WITH CLONFERT BISHOP'S REPORT ON ABUSE

Date Published: 28-Oct-2012

THE National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) says it has "no reason to be dissatisfied" with the Bishop of Clonfert's assurances on the reporting of child abuse allegations.

Ian Elliot, chief of the NBSCCC, has confirmed that they sought and received assurances from Bishop John Kirby that all the diocese's documentation for the period covered by the review of safeguarding practices had been made available.

That is according to a report in today's "Sunday Business Post" and the statement by the child safeguarding board contradicts a story in "The Irish Times" some weeks ago which alleged that the Bishop was aware of a higher number of abuse victims in his diocese than had been declared.

Bishop Kirby strongly rejected the allegations in the daily newspaper's story at the time they were published.

It is understood that the NBSCCC has also questioned those involved with the earlier newspaper story, and after seeking, and receiving, a written guarantee from the Bishop the children's safeguarding organisation is satisfied with Bishop Kirby's response.