Statement of Bishop Leo O’Reilly regarding the sentencing of Father Andrew Gerard Kearns.

Statement of Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore regarding the sentencing, on 12th March, of Father Andrew Gerard Kearns.

Father Andrew Gerard Kearns, a priest of the Diocese of Kilmore, pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault of minors in Cavan Circuit Court on 26th November 2013.  These offences date back to the mid nineteen eighties. On 12th March 2014, in the same court, victim impact statements were submitted and Father Kearns received a custodial sentence for these offences and his name has been added to the Register of Sex Offenders.

I wish to apologise and express my profound sorrow to the victims of this abuse, and to their families, for the pain and trauma inflicted on them by Father Kearns.  Such abuse is a grave betrayal of trust and I condemn it unreservedly.  These past two years have been an extremely difficult and painful time for the victims and their loved ones.  I hope that this verdict will help to bring some measure of closure to this very distressing experience for them.

The diocese of Kilmore first became aware of the allegations against Father Kearns in September 2011 and since then he has been on leave from ministry, has retired from parish duties and has been living outside his parish.

In accordance with Church procedures I have also referred this case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome and I now intend to complete a Church inquiry into the allegations made against Father Kearns.

At this time I wish to publicly acknowledge the contributions of our Diocesan Child Safeguarding Committee and the Safeguarding Representatives in all our thirty-six parishes who work hard to ensure the welfare of all children involved in Church activities in the diocese.

Finally, I encourage anyone with concerns regarding the safety of children in the Diocese of Kilmore to contact, without delay, the diocese, the Gardaí or the HSE.  Please see details below:

  • Diocesan Delegate/Designated Persons: Suzie Duffy 049 4375004, ext 105/   Father Sean Mawn 071 96 44039
  • Tusla, Child and Family Agency, Cavan/Monaghan Tel: / 049 43 77305/ 047 30426
  • An Garda Síochána Cavan/Monaghan – Tel: 049 43 68800/ 047 77200

Fr. Donal Kilduff
Diocesan Communications Officer,
Bishop’s House,
Cullies,
Cavan

049 4331496
[email protected]