Photograph: Jonathan McCambridge/PA WireA dedicated team of senior detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is to lead a criminal investigation into abuse allegations within the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, it has emerged. Last week, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Trevor Gribben, resigned over a failure to deal adequately with child protection issues. [ Presbyterian Church ignored concerns over its child safeguarding policies, expert saysOpens in new window ]It involved three Presbyterian congregations, on both sides of the Border. You will be treated with sensitivity, respect and professionalism.”The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has about 185,000 members, with about 22,000 of those in the Republic. The PSNI confirmed last week that it was involved in discussions with the Presbyterian Church after concerns were raised by the church following the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sex offences.
