IRELAND
National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church
(May 1st 2014)
The National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) published its annual report today. It details the work done by the Board and its National Office during the year ending 31st March 2014. It notes that 162 new allegations of abuse were reported to the Board, and to the State Authorities, between April 1st 2013 and the end of March 2014. Most allegations relate to abuse allegedly having taken place between the 1940’s and 90’s, with the biggest number of allegations relating to the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
The Board are satisfied that all of these have also been passed to the Gardaí/PSNI and where appropriate to the HSCT/HSE (Child and Family Agency).
2013 was a particularly significant year in that it saw the retirement of the organisation’s first CEO, Ian Elliott and the appointment of its second, Teresa Devlin. This change was used as an opportunity to re-examine the activity of the Board, to ensure that it was doing most effectively what it was established to do.
“I’ve inherited a really important role and it’s great to be leading a small but busy and committed team of people who are making the Church a safe place for children and to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated,” said Teresa Devlin, CEO, NBSCCCI. “Over the last year we have undertaken 18 reviews of safeguarding practice, initiated a busy 3 year training programme and on a day to day basis, offered advice and support across the various church bodies.”
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