BRITAIN
ic Coventry
Jun 30 2005
By Steve Chilton
The man who today was awarded record damages for being sexually abused by a Coventry priest began his campaign for justice 13 years ago - by telling his story to the Evening Telegraph.
The police had been foiled in their attempt to arrest Fr Christopher Clonan - he had fled and was never to be see again in this country - and the then 22-year-old was gripped by anger, despair and frustration.
His account of the abuse he suffered from the age of about seven through to his late teenage years was all the more chilling for its soft-spoken delivery. But when the memories became too painful, Mr A a tall, good-looking man dressed in denims, would explode in anger.
He told how the abuse started with fondling when he was just an ordinary kid with Irish parents living in the Coundon area, where Christ the King Church and social club was and still is, at the heart of the community.
He was groomed by the assistant parish priest by being given pocket money for odd jobs at the church and club.