A Donabate curate has been appointed Priest Delegate in the new Child Protection Service for the Archbishop of Dublin.

Fr Aquinas Duffy was curate in the parish of Donabate at Portrane from October of 1991 to July 1998. He was also Chaplain at St Ita’s Hospital.

In recent years he was in Tallaght and St Peter's, Little Bray, Co Wicklow.

During the summer he was appointed to his new role but over the past two weeks the staff of the Protection Service have been moving in to their new offices.

The Service will assist the diocese in the implementation of child protection policies and procedures, both in terms of prevention and in response to allegations. The Service will also provide pastoral outreach and support for victims of child abuse.

The Director of the Service is Phil Garland, who has many years of experience in the management of child protection and child care services with the local Health Board.

Fr Duffy, who as Priest Delegate, is responsible for the management of the response to priests accused of child abuse, and Mr Joseph McDonagh, who as Victim Support Coordinator will provide separate support for victims and their families.

‘This shows a new direction by the diocese, especially when the director is someone from the Health Board like Phil,’ Fr Duffy told the Fingal Independent. ‘My role will be to deal with priests accused of child abuse.’

‘It will be difficult at times but it is good to be part of something new like this initiative.’

The service will be working on a good child protection policy for the diocese and that will include training for parish personnel.

The setting up of the service has been welcomed by Cardinal Connell who feels it will benefit everybody.

‘I believe that its establishment will benefit not only the children and young people of the diocese, but that it will be a valuable resource for priests as well. As we look to the future, our common concern must be the protection of children and ensuring that the Church follows the best possible practice and achieves the highest standards,’ he stated.

Phil Garland is also looking ahead to the task.

‘The establishment of this office is a concrete example of the commitment of the Archdiocese of Dublin to the protection of children and to the creation of a safer Church environment for everyone. I have received great support and welcome here, in particular from Cardinal Connell and Coadjutor Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to promote best possible practice in child protection throughout the diocese,’ he stated.