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	Tuam Priest at the Centre of Rape Allegations Steps down The Irish Times [Ireland] October 28, 2005 Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has asked a priest of the archdiocese, who is at the centre of a rape allegation, to stand down from ministry. The priest has agreed "to stand aside", Dr Neary said yesterday. Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent, reports The archdiocese has been aware for some time of allegations that he raped a young woman 15 years ago and that these were being investigated by gardaí. The priest was not asked to step down until a newspaper report on the matter appeared yesterday. On Wednesday the archdiocese pointed out the case was "not a child protection matter". On legal advice the woman who made the allegations could not comment when contacted by The Irish Times yesterday. But it is understood she has alleged she was raped twice by the priest when she went to him in 1990 seeking help, as she had become pregnant. She was 24 at the time. In a statement, Dr Neary said the priest at the centre of the allegations had agreed "to stand aside from his ministry in order to remove the shadow of suspicion from other priests of the diocese". Dr Neary said it was "important to state that what is being investigated are allegations, which have not been established as either true or false. "I have been advised that public comment about this matter at this stage could prejudice the ordinary legal process and adversely affect the rights of persons involved. "My wish is that the gardaí should be in a position to investigate any matter reported to them without the risk of their investigation or any subsequent action being prejudiced," Dr Neary said. Regarding child sexual abuse allegations, the archbishop said he "would welcome any external audit of my management of child sexual abuse allegations in this diocese". Dr Neary acknowledged that, "tragically, there have been significant instances of such abuse in this archdiocese. I have apologised to those who have suffered in this way and do so again today. "I believe that I and those working in the archdiocese on my behalf have responded to every complaint in accordance with best practice and we will continue to do so as the need arises." Dr Neary added that last year he took part in an independent review of all complaints received by the archdiocese. It was conducted by Dr Kevin McCoy, who is a member of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. At its conclusion, Dr McCoy wrote that "having reviewed the archdiocese's management of all the complaints and allegations made to it, we are satisfied that they have been managed very well and in accordance with the norms and guidance applicable at the time, and that there is a consistent approach adopted to these very difficult situations."
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