CLOGHER (UNITED KINGDOM)
Yahoo! [Sunnyvale CA]
June 13, 2025
By Victoria Johnston, Impartial Reporter
The Bishop of Clogher has issued a formal apology to victims of sexual abuse perpetuated by Canon Patrick McEntee, the former President of St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen.
The Board of Governors of the school have also apologised to victims “for the hurt they have suffered”.
On Wednesday, June 11, a jury at Dungannon Crown Court found the 70-year-old priest guilty of sexually abusing five boys over an 11-year period during his time as a teacher.
In a statement following the verdict, Bishop Larry Duffy described the abuse as being against “everything that the Gospel proclaims”.
Read More: Priest taught morality in the classroom and violated it behind closed doors
He said: “No words of mine can make up for the suffering caused to these men and their families over the years.
“I want to sincerely apologise to each of them and assure them of our support and prayers.
“I am deeply saddened that innocent young people had to endure such abuse while attending school, and especially at the hands of a priest who was in a position of sacred trust.
“This goes against everything that the Gospel proclaims.”
The Board of Governors of St. Michael’s College said: “We wish to express our deep regret and sadness that such abuse took place against innocent young boys in our school.
“As a Board of Governors, and on behalf of the school community, we unreservedly apologise to the victims for the hurt they have suffered.
“While these incidents of abuse are historical, it does not lessen the pain that these men have endured.
“We assure them of our support.”
In a statement issued by the Diocese of Clogher on the Board’s behalf, they said: “As the court process continues ahead of sentencing, we will refrain from any further comment in respect of this case.
“Nonetheless, we wish to put on record that St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen, is fully committed to adhering to the highest standards, practices, policies and procedures for safeguarding and, also, to cooperating with the statutory authorities in all such cases.”
Acknowledging the shock within the community, Bishop Duffy added: “I know that this news will also come as a shock to the parishioners of Dromore, Co. Tyrone, and to the community of St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen.
“I want to assure everyone that our safeguarding policies and procedures are robust and are always being reviewed to ensure the highest possible standards and practice in respect of children and vulnerable adults in our diocese.”
Bishop Duffy and the Board of Governors concluded by encouraging anyone with a concern or complaint, past or present, to contact the Diocese of Clogher or the relevant statutory authorities.
Safeguarding Contact Information.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI):
Tel: 101 or Emergency: 999
Western PSNI: 028 9065 0222 or any police station
Northern Ireland Gateway Services (Western Health and Social Care Trust):
Children: 028 7131 4090
Adults: 028 7161 1366 (Office hours)
Regional Emergency Social Work Service (NI):
028 9504 9999 (Out of hours)
Clogher Diocese Designated Liaison Persons:
Martha Smyth: dlp1@clogherdiocese.ie
Anne Molloy: dlp2@clogherdiocese.ie
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
An Garda Síochána:
Tel: 01 663 4300 or 01 663 4350
24-hour Freephone Reporting Line: 1800 555 222
Email: gnpsb@garda.ie or contact any Garda station
TUSLA, Child and Family Agency (Rooskey, Monaghan):
Tel: 049 436 9800