A Catholic priest in Co Clare has stepped down from his parish amid allegations of child abuse, it was confirmed today.
Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, asked the priest to step aside from regular parish duties while an allegation related to an incident around 20 years ago is investigated. It is the second allegation made against the priest.
"A previous allegation was made in Britain some eight years ago in relation to the same priest," a statement from the Diocese of Killaloe said.
"Both he and the diocese of Killaloe fully co-operated with the investigation undertaken by the British authorities at that time. These authorities decided not to proceed with any charge in relation to that particular case."
The Diocese said the issue was raised in relation to child protection regarding a priest in a parish ministry in recent weeks.
Bishop Walsh consulted the Child Protection Committee of the diocese and following Church regulations he asked the priest to step aside while the allegation was investigated. The Diocese confirmed the priest had willingly agreed to step aside.
Church child protection guidelines mean the Bishop must pass on the allegation to relevant civil authorities including gardai and the local health authority.
On Monday, Dr Walsh described the recent revelations of child abuse which have rocked the Catholic Church in Ireland as the dark winter of the Church. In October, the Ferns Inquiry found that more than 20 priests had sexually abused young boys and girls in parishes in Co Wexford during the past 40 years.