The Bishop of Raphoe has said he is “deeply saddened and ashamed” after former Donegal parish priest Eamonn Crossan appeared in court on child sexual abuse charges.
The 72-year-old cleric appeared at Donegal Circuit Court facing a total of 96 charges against a young boy.
He pleaded guilty to a sample count of nine charges which included sexual assault and indecent assault.
The Letterkenny-born cleric will be sentenced in March of next year.
Bishop Alan McGuckian issued a statement this afternoon in which he outlined his feelings on the case.
He said “Today in Donegal Circuit Court, Eamonn Crossan a former priest of the Diocese of Raphoe, pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of a minor in the 1990s.
“He was a priest in the diocese from 1976 and was removed from ministry in 1998 on reception of an earlier
complaint for which he has served time in prison.
“I am deeply saddened and ashamed that an innocent child had to endure such abuse, especially at the hands of a priest who was in a position of sacred trust.
“No words of mine can atone for the suffering caused to an innocent person and to his family and yet I want to apologise most sincerely.”
Bishop McGuckian said that he encourages anybody who may have a complaint to come forward.
He added “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.”
To report a concern or complaint of child abuse either current or historical, please contact
Margaret Northage the Designated Liaison Person for the diocese on 086 2183 011 or you
can go directly to the statutory authorities:
Tusla (Child & Family Agency) – tel: 074 9102233
Gardai National Protective Services Bureau – tel: 01 6663430/6663435.
In an emergency, please contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 91 67100.
Free Counselling & Support is available through Towards Healing, an independent organisation providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland.
Freephone – Rol: 1800 303416,
Freephone – N.Ireland & UK: 0800 0963315.
Freephone – Hearing Impaired: 085 8022 859
