Conviction of priest for child abuse shows Church must stay vigilant: Flanagan
The child protection watchdog in the Catholic Church has said the fact that a priest was convicted of abusing a child this year shows the Church needs to remain vigilant on abuse.
The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church is publishing the latest tranche of its audits into the dioceses of Dublin, Meath, Cloyne and Killaloe.
In Dublin, 40 priests have been the subject of child-safeguarding concerns in the past 10 years. Twenty-seven of those priests have been sanctioned.
Responding to the reports, the new Children's Minister Charlie Flanagan says child safety was paramount.
"Undoubtedly lessons have been learned, and we need at all times to be vigilant to ensure that we have adequate and proper care and safety for our children" he said. "(It is) one of the most important aspects of my role as Minister for Children."
