BishopAccountability.org
	Altar Boy 'Abused by Priest for Five Years' By Ann O'Loughlin Irish Independent [Ireland] May 3, 2007 http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1823343&issue_id=15578 A man who claims he was sexually abused by a priest twice a week for five years has begun an action for damages against the priest and the Bishop of Ferns. Patrick Doyle (48) of The Rookery, Bellefield, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford has taken the proceedings against Fr John Kinsella, who was attached to the Diocese of Ferns. The action is also against Bishop Eamon Walsh, being sued in his capacity as Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns on the basis that he was vicariously liable for the priest's alleged acts. This is the first civil case taken against a diocese that has proceeded to full trial. Rejected The court was told by Jack Fitzgerald SC, for Mr Doyle, that Fr Kinsella rejected the allegations. The action against the Bishop is on grounds of alleged negligence and breach of duty in permitting Fr Kinsella to be admitted to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest when it should have been known he was likely to cause damage or injury to persons during his ministry. Mr Doyle claims the Bishop failed to give the plaintiff or his parents any adequate warning of the alleged paedophilic tendencies of Fr Kinsella. He said the first incident of abuse happened when he was in his teens, as an altar boy. Fr Kinsella was in his sitting room and produced swimming trunks. He told him he was going on holidays and wanted him to try on the trunks. They both took their clothes off and were naked. Fr Kinsella embraced him and he could see tears in his eyes as he said: "God, Patrick Doyle, you know that I love you." Mr Doyle said he was shocked. He said Fr Kinsella had then asked him to get into bed and to lie on top of him. That was the first sexual activity between them, he said. The first person he told was a garda around the time the Fr Brendan Smyth affair was becoming public. He said Fr Kinsella would abuse him about twice a week, from the age of 14 until he was 19. It was put to him that Fr Kinsella would say this never happened, and Mr Doyle said: "He is a total liar." In his statment of claim, Mr Doyle said he remains in emotional distress due to what happened and had been suicidal on occasion. The hearing before Mr Justice John Quirke continues today.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.