Derry Journal
March 19, 2010
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Bishop-met-police-on-child.6165686.jp
 |
| BISHOP HEGARTY |
The Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, has responded to allegations of a cover-up in an alleged child sex abuse case and said that the case was brought to the attention of the social services and the police the year after the family involved came to the diocese about it.
He also said that the ?12,000 paid to the alleged victim came from the priest involved, and no diocesan funds were used. He said that while he, Bishop Daly and the priest were sued, the case against himself and Bishop Daly was dismissed.
In a statement last night, Bishop Hegarty also said that he met senior members of the RUC about the case almost fifteen years ago.
He added; "A confidentiality agreement was not proposed by the diocese, but was proposed to the diocese by one of the other parties, and, to facilitate a settlement, the diocese agreed. This agreement was in the year 2000, five years after the civil authorities were first aware of the matter."
The statement follows a front page story in the Belfast Telegraph yesterday headed - "Derry bishop in 'secret deal' on child sex abuse case".
The story began - "The Bishop of Derry stands accused of being involved in a 'secret deal' over an alleged sex abuse case."
Bishop Hegarty's statement, released by the diocesan administrator Fr Michael Canny, said; "On the afternoon of St. Patrick's Day, 17th March 2010, my office received an email from the Belfast Telegraph, which contained a series of questions to which responses were requested by 5.00pm. The issues raised were serious and required careful consideration, given the fact that the allegation referred to a period quite some time ago. For this reason a considered response could not be given by the short deadline required by the newspaper.
'Left ministry'
"The family involved brought the allegation to the attention of the diocese in January 1994. A professional assessment of the priest was carried out. The diocese notified Social Services in May 1995. The priest left parish ministry in June 1995 and remains out of parish ministry.
"The bishop met with senior members of the RUC in October 1995 regarding the matter.
"Bishop Daly, Bishop Hegarty and the priest were sued by the person making the allegation. After a protracted period of time, the priest paid ?12,000 to her. The diocese made no contribution to the money paid by the priest. The case against Bishop Daly and Bishop Hegarty was dismissed. A confidentiality agreement was not proposed by the diocese, but was proposed to the diocese by one of the other parties, and, to facilitate a settlement, the diocese agreed. This agreement was in the year 2000, five years after the civil authorities were first aware of the matter.
"It is important to note that the diocese is today committed to the standards and guidance in the Safeguarding Children document; this involves a full and immediate communication of allegations to the civil authorities."
The Bishop's statement came at 6pm. Fr Canny had commented earlier that a thorough and accurate and investigation would be carried out before a reply to the allegations would be issued.
It's understood that the priest at the centre of the story served in various parts of the diocese.
For more on the story - written before the Bishop's statement last night - see page two.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.