January 21, 2005

Bishop Defends Priest In Abuse Case Pay-Out

NORTHERN IRELAND
Derry Journal

By Donna Deeney

Friday 21st January 2005

Bishop of Derry Most Rev Dr Seamus Hegarty yesterday defended a decision to allow a priest in the Diocese to continue working with youth groups in spite of an out of court cash settlement involving allegations of sexual abuse.

Dr Hegarty was responding to a Derry Journal investigation into a number of allegations made against a priest in the Diocese and concerns regarding that priest's current position.

We have decided not to name the priest concerned, but we can report that last month he agreed a substantial five-figure financial settlement with a man who had made certain allegations against him after an incident at a parochial house in 1992.

The man was just 18 at the time.

In his statement to the Journal, Dr Hegarty said: "I am aware of the matter referred to involving an adult who was over eighteen at the time.

"The issue concerned two adults who were fully represented. It was settled without court proceedings between the priest and the adult through their legal representatives."

Posted by kshaw at January 21, 2005 08:42 AM