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PSNI Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Presbyterian Church Safeguarding Failures

Police say they grasped the potential scale only last week following the church’s disclosure of years of safeguarding failings.

Overview

  • A dedicated team led by a senior investigating officer in the Public Protection Branch has been established to pursue potential offences.
  • Investigators have notified An Garda Síochána to coordinate any cross‑border elements as the inquiry develops.
  • The Presbyterian Church in Ireland says it will fully cooperate and make relevant files, reports, and information available to detectives.
  • Police report only a small number of victim contacts so far and are urging others to come forward, assuring sensitive and professional support.
  • The probe follows an internal PCI review that found serious safeguarding failures from 2009 to 2022 and led to the moderator’s resignation.