Safeguarding and Child Protection Service

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Service has been established to assist the diocese in the implementation of child protection policies and procedures, both in terms of prevention and in response to allegations. This Service is also available to advise, guide and support all who work with children and young people in the diocese.

This includes the provision of pastoral outreach and support for victims of child abuse and their families. The Service will also provide appropriate services to alleged perpetrators and their families.

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Service is responsible to the Archbishop of Dublin and reports directly to him. The Service will work in partnership with priests, parish staff and volunteers, victims, and lay people. It will liaise closely with the various statutory agencies including the Health Boards, An Garda Síochána and the Probation and Welfare Service. The Safeguarding and Child Protection Service will also liaise with the Child Protection Office of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.

Training will be provided for individuals and groups within parishes, diocesan agencies and other settings.

The Director of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Service is responsible for the overall management and development of the service, will receive all allegations of abuse and ensure that they are dealt with appropriately.
Director: Mr. Andrew Fagan. To contact Andrew see our Contact Us page.

The Child Protection Officer assists the Director in the area of case management.

Child Protection Officer: Ms Sinéad McDonnell. To contact Sinéad see our Contact Us page.

The Support Coordinator provides a separate pastoral support for victims and their families. He also provides assistance in making a complaint, facilitating access to information and help, and representing their concerns to the diocese.
Support Coordinator: Mr. Joseph McDonagh. To contact Joseph see our Contact Us page.

The Priest Delegate is responsible for the management of the response to priests accused of child abuse.
Priest Delegate: Fr. Des Doyle. To contact Fr Des see our Contact Us page.

The Child Protection Training and Development Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of the parish and diocesan child protection structures. This consists of assisting the development of diocesan policies and procedures, the selection and recruitment of parish child protection representatives and the provision of support to parishes and other groups in relation to best practice in child protection.
Child Protection Training and Development Coordinator: Fr. Paddy Boyle. To contact Paddy see our Contact Us page.

Priest Advisers provide support for accused priests and their families and can be contacted through the Priest Delegate.

Child Protection Advisory Panel

The Child Protection Advisory Panel works closely with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Service. The Panel’s membership includes members with expertise in a variety of fields relevant to its work. It has responsibility for reviewing individual allegations of child abuse by priests. It makes recommendations to the Archbishop.