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  Confey Priest Still in Limbo a Year after Name Was Cleared

Leinster Leader
June 17, 2009

http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/Confey-priest-still-in-limbo.5374044.jp

A LEIXLIP parish priest, Fr Philip Corcoran continues to wait in limbo a year after he was cleared of sexual abuse allegations by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Leinster Leader understands the a number of parishioners in the Parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Confey, have written to the Dublin Diocesan authorities to clarify the current status of Fr. Corcoran.

In June 2008, the Leixlip parish priest was cleared of allegations of sexual abuse.

The Leader understands that the Director of Public Prosecutions made a relatively quick decision that he had no case to answer.

In May 2008, parishioners attending masses at the parish had been informed in a very brief statement from the Dublin Diocese that Fr. Corcoran, was stepping aside pending an inquiry into allegations.

The move to step aside was in no way an implication of any wrong doing but it was a precautionary move.

The Diocese gave no indication then of the length or timing of any inquiry.

There is now some concern at the time that it is taking to clear the matter up.

It is understood that the Parish Council as well as others have written to the church authorities seeking a resolution one way or another but that information is difficult to get.

Meanwhile, Fr. Corcoran continues to live in Confey, doing no work in the parish or anywhere else for that matter.

It was thought that the complaint which led to be him being forced to step aside related to a matter which took place twenty two years ago.

It is believed that Fr. Corcoran's case, after being closed by the DPP, was referred back to the Dublin Diocese, and that it is now in the hands of the Health Service Executive.

This week, the Diocese, said it could not comment on individual cases.

The HSE had not responded to queries by our Tuesday press deadline.

Fr. Corcoran, a Dublin native, had served in Kilmead in Kildare, Valleymount in Wicklow and Castleknock, Dublin, before moving to Confey parish.

A clear set of policy guidelines now exists on handling allegations against clergy and other involved in the church.

 
 

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