“We in the parish of Raheny value and encourage the participation of children and young people in parish liturgies and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We recognise the dignity and rights of all children and are committed to their protection and support.
In keeping with this, we will work to do all in our power to create safe environments for children and young people in order to secure their protection and enable their full participation in the life of the Church”.
With the increasing awareness of the impact that child abuse has, not only on the child but on his/her family and indeed on the wider community, the government and the Church initiated different reports on the tragedy from the mid nineties on. These reports were very revealing, covering all types of abuse, physical, psychological, sexual and social.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was very pro-active in establishing structures and policies to ensure the safeguarding of children and elimination of child sexual abuse. Relevant professionals were brought on to all Committees and resulted in excellent recommendations in the care of our children. cf “Our Children, our Church”.
Corpus Christi Procession
The Archbishop then directed that all parishes draw up policies and procedures on child care in their own parish. A sub-committee of the Parish Pastoral Council in Raheny was appointed to this task and produced their own guidelines, based on the Diocesan one, covering all situations where Church personnel were involved with children and vulnerable adults, i.e. altar servers, schools etc. Each member of the Raheny Parish Community is asked to pray, be alert and implement the procedures and policies of the Church in relation to our children. To help with training and support, the Parish Council appointed two Child Protection Representatives from the Parish. The Gardái or H.S.E. Social Workers can be contacted should anyone have any queries or concerns regarding Child Protection. Their contact numbers are available on the Notice Boards in the Church porches and in the Sacristy and also listed below.
For any queries / concerns the following useful phone numbers can be used:
Sacristy/Parish Office
01 8313232 (Open Mon-Fri 10a.m. – 12 noon)
Child Protection Service
Diocesan Offices, Archbishop’s House, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 – Tel. 01 8360314
The Designated Person is Mr. Andrew Fagan, Director of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Service of the Archdiocese of Dublin
The Deputy Designated Person is Ms. Sinead McDonnell, Child Protection officer, both can be contacted at Tel. 01 8360314.
Parish Representatives:
Ms. Eilish O’Leary Tel. 01 8314415
Ms. Mairead Peppard Tel. 01 8315389
Raheny Garda Station
01-6664300
H.S.E. Cromcastle Road, Coolock Tel. 01 8164200
HSE Nation Information Line Call save 1850 241 850
Duty HSE Social Worker (Coolock) Tel. 01 8161314
Duty HSE Social Worker (Ballymun) Tel. 01-8467236
Duty HSE Social Worker (Finglas) Tel. 01 8567704
Eilish O’Leary
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