Apology by Down diocese over alleged abuse by priest

A bishop has apologised to the alleged victims of a deceased parish priest at the Diocese of Down and Connor.

An allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was recently made against Fr Patrick O’Neill, who died in November 2009.

The diocese said in a statement on Sunday it accepted the “entirely credible” allegation.

Bishop Alan McGuckian of the Diocese of Down and Connor, said there were three credible allegations of sexual abuse of adults, manipulation and abuse of power made against Fr O’Neill, received by the Diocese in 2003, 2005 and 2006, relating to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990 when he was a parish priest at the diocese.

He said that all of these allegations were reported to the PSNI.

He also said that a “similarly credible” allegation of abuse of a minor by Fr O’Neill was made in October 2004.

25 February 2025 Statement from the Diocese of Down and Connor regarding Fr Patrick O’Neill. https://t.co/5B8CyHd3Pd
— Down & Connor (@DownandConnor) February 23,…