By Jacqueline Van Aanholt
The Northern Daily Leader
September 5, 2008
http://tamworth.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/father-dwyer-released-on-bail/1264022.aspx
FATHER Peter Dwyer has been named as the 65-year-old Armidale Catholic priest arrested on Wednesday in relation to alleged offences at St Stanislaus’ College in Bathurst.
Dwyer was taken to the Armidale police station at 4.30pm where, after being questioned by task force members, he was charged with four offences.
The accused man is the parish priest of Armidale.
He was made acting administrator of Tamworth’s St Nicholas Parish on June 1, during the absence of Father Richard Gleeson.
That appointment has since concluded.
Dwyer ranked second to Father Brian Spillane during the period when Spillane was the highest priest at the college.
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| Arrested: Armidale Catholic priest Father Peter Dwyer has been named as the Armidale cleric arrested and charged with four offences, allegedly committed at St Stanislaus’ College in Bathurst. |
Spillane is currently facing 93 charges, after allegations of sexual intercourse with students aged between 10 and 16 and other acts of gross indecency.
It is believed at least some of the offences occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dwyer is a former principal of St Stanislaus’.
Prior to his arrival in Armidale, he was the director of the first-year program at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Homebush.
Dwyer, who was granted bail on Wednesday, is to appear at the Bathurst Local Court on September 15.
He was the fourth person to have been arrested by detectives from Strike Force Belle.
The strike force is made up of police from the Chifley Local Area Command.
Strike Force Belle is investigating a number of sexual assault offences which allegedly occurred at St Stanislaus’ College in the 1970s and the 1980s, and an Anglican secondary school in Bathurst in the 1970s.
A total of 128 charges have been laid against the four men, who range in age from 63 to 66.
Police are continuing to work with 14 alleged victims.
Strike Force Belle task force commander, Superintendent Michael Goodwin, confirmed yesterday police were also talking to other alleged victims, including a female.
Further charges have not been ruled out.
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