Bishop denies hearing abuse claims

THE Bishop of Galway, Dr James Loughlin, said yesterday he deeply regretted that if during his period as a chaplain at an industrial school in Salthill he had left any boy with the impression that he was unsympathetic to his concerns about being sexually abused.

Dr McLoughlin said, however, he had not heard any complaint of sexual abuse against any of the Christian Brothers who ran the facility. He would be deeply sorry if he had failed to understand any plea for help while he was chaplain at St Joseph's Industrial School from 1965-1983. He said he felt certain that had a complaint of sexual abuse been made to him, he would have acted upon it.

The bishop was responding to two former residents of the school who claimed in statements to the gardai they had told the then Father McLoughlin of instances of child sexual and physical abuse at the school.

St Joseph's catered for boys aged between six and 16 who were orphaned or were from broken homes. It is understood that the complaints relate to periods during the 1960s and 1970s.

While he had initially refused to comment because a Garda inquiry, following complaints by former residents, was continuing, Dr McLoughlin said that following claims he had been informed of the abuse he had felt it necessary to issue a statement.

A man in his 30s has alleged that after saying Mass on one occasion, Father McLoughlin had told him that the best thing for him to do was to tell the school manager about instances of sexual and physical abuse. He also claimed that the abuse had continued after he had made his complaint, when he was 15.

The bishop said he was aware that allegations had been made about St Joseph's home and that he was deeply hurt and saddened by this. "I visited St Joseph's as chaplain for 18 years and certainly did not hear a complaint of sexual abuse against any of the brothers during that time.

"One man, who was there during that period, has apparently stated that he talked to me one morning after Mass about some abuse and that I was unsympathetic. I have to state that I have absolutely no recollection whatsoever of an allegation or a complaint having been made to me in the circumstances described.

"I would be extremely sorry if I had failed to understand any such for help. Further, I feel certain that had a complaint old sexual abuse been made to me, I would have taken it seriously and acted on it," Dr McLoughlin added.

His statement concluded: "I deeply regret if during my period as chaplain there, I left any boy with the impression that I was unsympathetic to his needs."

A spokesman for Dr McLoughlin said that the bishop was not prepared to comment any further on the allegations, nor would he give press interviews.