IRELAND
Roman Catholic Diocese of Ardagh and Clomacnois

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…