Greg Daly
Bishop Leo O'Reilly The first Irish diocese to be subject to a second review of safeguarding practice has been praised for its handling of abuse allegations and treatment of those making complaints and being complained about.
The review of the Diocese of Kilmore, conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland during February and March of this year, found that there was significant evidence “of quality people providing best practice approaches to child safeguarding, reporting allegations, providing flexible care to complainants, and ensuring that those accused are dealt with fairly and are monitored”.
Kilmore’s safeguarding, the report concluded, “is underpinned by strong leadership and committed individuals who provide direction training, time and concern for those children who are entrusted in their care”.
Expressing his pleasure about the new review which focuses on current safeguarding practice, Bishop Leo O’Reilly said:
“We are very encouraged by the findings of the review and the words of affirmation and encouragement, by the CEO of the National Board for Safeguarding Children, Ms Teresa Devlin, for the work of all our safeguarding personnel.”
He thanked those most closely involved in diocesan safeguarding “for their generosity and hard work, the vast bulk of which is done on a voluntary basis”.
The review follows the publication of a parallel pilot second review of a religious community, which likewise found safeguarding to be a high priority for the Benedict monks of Limerick’s Glenstal Abbey.
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