IRELAND
Irish Times
DAVID RALEIGH
LIMERICK DIOCESE: DR DONAL Murray was praised in yesterday’s audit of the Limerick diocese for implementing “robust safeguards” to deal with allegations against Limerick priests, despite having been forced to resign as the bishop of Limerick in 2009 over his handling of allegations of clerical child sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese.
The report on the audit of the Limerick diocese’s child safeguarding procedures said Dr Murray was “credited with putting in place in the diocese robust safeguards and prompt responses to allegations of abuse”.
“The vacuum created by his departure is still felt in the diocese, though the presence of the diocesan administrator, Fr Tony Mullins, enables the business of safeguarding children to remain a central focus in the diocese,” the report said. “Significantly, the departure of Bishop Murray had a major influence on the confidence of diocesan staff in carrying out their safeguarding duties.”
The audit by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland singles out Dr Murray’s predecessor, Bishop Jeremiah Newman, for inadequate handling of dealing with allegations, although it does not name him.
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