March 27, 2006

Cornwall sex abuse inquiry continues

CANADA
Ottawa Citizen

Canadian Press
Published: Monday, March 27, 2006
CORNWALL, Ont. -- Alleged child abuse victims say motions to exclude their testimony and an eastern Ontario Catholic diocese from scrutiny threaten to render a public inquiry into their claims useless.

The independent inquiry into the handling of decades-old allegations of abuse in Cornwall resumed today after a month-long break.

Lawyers for the Alexandria-Cornwall Diocese, alleged abuse victims and other groups are to begin submissions on the motions.

Rob Talach, a lawyer for the alleged victims, says some feel the battle for closure would be lost if the motions succeed.

A police investigation in the 1990s resulted in 114 sex abuse charges against 15 Cornwall citizens.

But only one man pleaded guilty and four were acquitted.

Posted by kshaw at March 27, 2006 04:40 PM