The family of the teenager believe there are many more victims of the priest who have not reported incidents to the gardaí and they are urging them to do so.

Allegations made by the teenager’s father emerged during an interview with RTÉ News yesterday.

The father said that 13 years after reporting the matter to Bishop John Magee of the Diocese of Cloyne, the priest in question was often seen out on his own.

He said the priest had lived about half a mile from a school and creche and that it appeared he still had access to children and young people.

“A close friend of mine observed him while shopping that he was by his chat obviously trying to recruit a person (a very young woman) in the shop,” the father said.

He said he had spoken to other alleged victims of the priest and knew of many more living in his locality. He maintained the priest had served in other parishes where there were further victims.

In early 1995 the girl’s father made a complaint about the priest to Bishop Magee. The priest, known as Fr D in the HSE report, was eventually removed from his ministry after further complaints were made by other people.

The girl’s father, who wants to remain anonymous, said he was highlighting the issue because he wanted to be the voice for victims.

“I want justice for the victims. I am their voice. They may not be able to speak because they have been through so much... My daughter was a victim, I know the suffering she went through,” the father said.

He said “terrible perversions were perpetrated” against his daughter.

“It cuts to the core of our beings. It is with us morning, noon and night,” he said.

Despite the abuse, he said the family were good Catholics and still practising. They also acknowledge that the vast majority of priests are very good people.

“Other priests are crushed by this. They (feel that they) are being tarred with the same brush,” he said.

The father said some families might want to sweep abuse under the carpet because of loyalty to the Church.

However, he said they should report such incidents to the gardaí.

“They should go to the gardaí. We found them outstanding and caring,” the father said.

Gardaí sent four files on allegations of abuse against priests in the diocese to the DPP, who decided no action should be taken against them.

The father said he simply couldn’t understand why this had happened.

The Cloyne diocesan delegate for child protection, Fr William Bermingham, said all four priests removed from ministry in the diocese continue to be supervised.

He said Bishop Magee laid down strict conditions for their priests and their contacts with young people.

Fr Bermingham said he would be disturbed and concerned to hear if those conditions were being breached and he promised to investigate further.