Two individuals have been arrested as part of a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation into safeguarding failures at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the force announced. The inquiry has received 127 contacts from potential victims or witnesses, according to PSNI officials.
The investigation was formally launched in November 2025, following the church's public acknowledgment of institutional failures. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland admitted to
serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from the period 2009 to 2022.
This inquiry reflects a broader reckoning with safeguarding practices across religious institutions in Northern Ireland. A former safeguarding officer at another Belfast church was previously targeted after raising concerns, revealing systemic patterns of institutional resistance to accountability. Additionally, a comprehensive report published in July 2026 documented abuse in both Catholic and Protestant settings, highlighting the scale of the problem across denominations.
How is the investigation progressing?
The PSNI stated that its inquiry remains active and ongoing. Investigators are collaborating with partner agencies to maintain what they describe as a
safeguarding-led approach throughout the investigation. The force has not disclosed the identities of those arrested or the specific allegations they face.
What prompted the church's admission?
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland's acknowledgment of failures spanning 13 years emerged following mounting pressure and disclosures about institutional handling of abuse allegations. The church's statement represented a significant shift in its public posture on the issue, though it did not detail the nature or scope of individual cases within the period identified.
Key Facts
- Two arrests have been made in connection with safeguarding concerns at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
- The PSNI has received 127 contacts from potential victims or witnesses since the investigation began
- The church admitted to serious safeguarding failures between 2009 and 2022
- The investigation was announced in November 2025 and remains ongoing
- The PSNI is working with partner agencies to ensure a safeguarding-focused approach
