The Prior of Lough Derg, Monsignor La Flynn, has apologised on behalf of the pilgrimage following the jailing of a former worker for the abuse of women at the centre.
Tomas Gallagher, a former maintenance worker at the religious retreat, was jailed for four years for the attacks on five different women.
Monsignor Flynn said he wished to express his deep sorrow that such abuse took place against members of staff there, including a minor.
He said that he wished to apologise to those victims unreservedly for the hurt they have suffered and assure them of the retreat’s support at this time.
He said that during 2022, both myself as Prior and the then Operations Manager at Lough Derg were made aware of allegations of sexual assault by a staff member at that time.
In accordance with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures, the allegations were immediately reported to An Garda Siochána for investigation. The member of staff was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. He since voluntarily resigned his employment.”
The Diocese of Clogher, of which Lough Derg is a constituent part, and the Management of Lough Derg, are fully committed to adhering to the highest standards, practices, policies and procedures for safeguarding and, also, to cooperating with the statutory authorities in all such cases, 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 via the following numbers,” he said.
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