Following today’s court judgement in respect of Canon Patrick McEntee, 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.
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 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.
If anyone else has a concern or complaint, either now or from the past, I encourage them to come forward and contact both the diocese and the statutory authorities via the following numbers.
Martha Smyth, Raheen, 12 Hollyhill Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. Telephone: 00447775507445 Email: [email protected]
Anne Molloy, 10 Dunene Avenue, Kesh Road, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh Telephone: 0044 78 7941 3855 Email: [email protected]
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Tel: 101 or Emergency Number 999 Western PSNI: 028 90650222 Or any Police Station
An Garda Siochana Tel: 01 663430 or 01 663435
Garda 24 Hour Free Phone Reporting Line: 1800 555 222 Email: [email protected] or any station
Northern Ireland Gateway Services, Western Health and Social Care Trust Tel: 028 7131 4090 (Children) or 028 7161 1366 (Adults) (Office hours)
In NI – Regional Emergency Social Work Service: 028 9504 9999 (Out of hours emergencies)
In the Republic of Ireland TUSLA, Child and Family Agency Rooskey, Monaghan Tel: 049 436 9801
ENDS