Statement issued by Bishop Francis Duffy, Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clomacnois (December 9, 2015)

Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois
at St Mary’s Church, Cloghan, Co. Offaly, 5th December 2015
and at St Matthew’s Church, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, 6th December 2015

Some here will remember your former parish priest, Fr Brendan Hynds. He served in the parish of Cloghan from 1972 up until his retirement in 1987. (Ballymahon: 1960-72).

In recent times, I have received a number of historical allegations of child sexual abuse against Fr Hynds. He died over twenty years ago in 1993, and so cannot respond to these allegations.

I have come here today as I feel it is necessary to share this sensitive information with you, as the parish community he served for 15 years. (Ballymahon 12 years). I have been deeply moved by the accounts of trauma suffered by those affected. I am grateful to them for their courage in coming forward to make their experience known.

The betrayal of the trust of a child is an appalling act; furthermore, it greatly shames me that he used his position as a priest to carry out his abuse. I sincerely apologise to those individuals, and their families who have been hurt by Fr Hynds. I hope this public recognition of their suffering might be one further step in the on-going journey of personal healing. I also apologise to you as the parish community he served.

I invite anyone who may have a safeguarding concern regarding Fr Hynds, to please contact our diocesan Designated Liaison Person, or Towards Healing, a free and confidential helpline and counselling referral service, or report the matter to Tusla, the local Child and Family Agency, or the local Gardaí. Details are on parish newsletters and on church notice boards.

In addition, I am available to meet with you personally in my pastoral role as your Bishop, if you so wish.

Finally, I want to reassure you that, at this time, the diocese is in full compliance with the policy and procedures set out by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. I take this opportunity to thank all those who are serving in various safeguarding roles in this parish and in our diocese, all of whom are central in ensuring that the Church environment in which we minister continues to be safe for our children into the future.
END."