Jesuit priest subject to child abuse complaints ministered in Donegal

A priest who served in Donegal in the 1980s is one of 15 deceased Jesuits credibly accused of child abuse over the last 70 years whose names have been published by the Jesuit Order.

Fr Diarmuid Ó Péicín, who ministered in the Raphoe Diocese from 1980 to 1984, is one of those named.

A document entitled 'The Naming of Deceased Jesuits Regarding Child Sexual Abuse Complaints' has been published by the Jesuit Order.

There are two complaints of child sexual abuse against Fr Ó Péicín, who served on Tory Island, and there is one third-party complaint of child sexual abuse against him.

The publication of the names follows an examination of files of deceased Jesuits by an Independent Working Group, comprising of former Supreme Court judge John MacMenamin; Dr Rosaleen McElvaney PhD, Principal Psychotherapist in the Alders Unit at Children’s Health Ireland in Connolly Hospital and Paul Harrison, a registered social worker.

“The Diocese of Raphoe wishes to acknowledge the Statement issued today by the Jesuits naming deceased members who have been the subject of what have been deemed credible allegations of abuse against minors,” said Monsignor Kevin Gillespie,  Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Raphoe.

“The information now placed in the public forum by the Jesuits is hugely disappointing for those who held Fr Ó Péicín in such esteem, not least for his advocacy for the rights of islanders.

“It adds to the sad litany of hurt compounded by the failure to act adequately to protect the children entrusted in their care. I sincerely apologise to those who have been directly affected, their families and wider community.”

Monsignor Gillespie said the purpose of the release was to encourage others to come forward who may not have had the strength to do so before now.

He said: “Therefore, I encourage anyone who may have been abused, or is suspicious of any abuse, to report it to the state authorities, the diocesan safeguarding office or the Jesuit safeguarding office immediately.”

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To report a concern, or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical, please contact Margaret Northage, the Designated Liaison Person for the diocese, on 086 2183 011.  

To contact the Irish Jesuits directly: email safeguarding@jesuit.ie; the helpline mobile number is 00-353-83-0874254 (8am to 8pm daily, including weekends); or contact the Jesuit provincialate reception (9am to 4pm, weekdays): 01-4987333

You are advised also to contact statutory authorities:  Tusla (Child & Family Agency) 074 9102233; Gardaí National Protective Services Bureau 01 6663430/6663435 or email  GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie

Free Counselling & Support is available through Towards Healing, an independent organisation providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland: Freephone, RoI 1800 303416; Freephone, N.Ireland & UK 0800 0963315; Freephone, Hearing Impaired  085 8022859