Appointment of Diocesan Director of Safeguarding for Diocese of Cork and Ross
Bishop Fintan Gavin has announced the appointment of Des Bell as Diocesan Director of Safeguarding in the Diocese of Cork and Ross. Des is based at the Diocesan Offices in Redemption Road.
Des joins the diocese following his recent retirement from An Garda Síochána. He brings with him extensive experience and numerous qualifications in the areas of child protection, welfare, risk assessment and intervention, psychology, and governance. His academic background includes a Masters in Social Policy, Child Protection and Welfare from University College Cork (UCC), and an MSc in Cybercrime from the University of Portsmouth. He is also an active volunteer in sports coaching and other community organisations.
As Diocesan Director of Safeguarding, Des is responsible for planning and managing the diocesan safeguarding service, with a particular focus on developing, maintaining, and monitoring a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in all aspects of Church life and ministry. He will oversee all safeguarding training and ensure the safeguarding message is effectively communicated across the diocese, promoting best practice in every parish and ministry.
Des Bell, Director of SafeguardingIn this role, Des also serves as the Diocesan Designated Liaison Person (DLP), building on the work already accomplished in this vital area of diocesan life.
Des will work closely with the bishop, priests, deacons, the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee, and the many safeguarding representatives in parishes, continuing to strengthen the robust and effective safeguarding programme in place across the Diocese.
Bishop Fintan also acknowledged the work of Fr Alan O’Leary Co-PP who continues his role as Deputy Designated Liaison Person for the Diocese of Cork and Ross.
