A FORMER social worker with the HSE West has been announced as the new child protection delegate in the diocese of Cloyne. Bill Meagher, the first lay person to assume this post in the diocese, has begun work.
Father John McCarthy was acting child protection delegate in Cloyne since Fr Bill Bermingham stepped aside last summer after clerical abuse victims questioned his decision to show victims’ statements to accused priests.
Monsignor Denis O’Callaghan was child protection delegate during the period when the National Board for Safeguarding Children sought to examine the mishandling of clerical abuse claims by the Co Cork diocese.
Bill Meagher was appointed to the post by the diocese’s apostolic administrator, Archbishop Dermot Clifford. Last night, Archbishop Clifford reiterated the diocese’s commitment to upholding the "dignity and rights of all children and young children".
"This is a key child protection appointment for the diocese. In addition to providing assistance to survivors of abuse and in managing allegations, Bill’s professional experience and expertise will be an essential resource to the existing 98 trained parish representatives who are in place in parishes throughout the diocese," Archbishop Clifford said.
"The presence of voluntary parish representatives is vital in maintaining public confidence in the Church’s commitment to safeguard children."
Bill Meagher has worked as a senior social worker in the HSE West and Midland Health Board for 14 years.
The Murphy Commission report into the mishandling of abuse complaints in Cloyne is due to be published before Easter.
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