The Australian
September 15, 2008
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24347840-5006784,00.html
A LAWYER for three men who pleaded not guilty to sexual abuse at a NSW boarding school has labelled the case a "witch hunt".
The three men, together facing 125 child sex offences allegedly committed at Bathurst's St Stanislaus College, today pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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| St Stanislaus Catholic School, Bathurst. |
Former Catholic priest Brian Spillane, 65, appeared in Bathurst Local Court this morning charged with 93 sex offences dating from 1979-1988 when he worked as a school chaplin in the Catholic boys boarding school in the NSW central wst.
Former St Stanislaus vice principal John Gaven, 66, who is charged with 28 child sex offences, and former principal Peter Dwyer, 65, charged with four sex offences, were not required to attend court.
Lawyer Greg Walsh, who appeared today on behalf of all three accused, entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.
Beth Walker, appearing on behalf of the DPP said, "there may well be up to 100 additional statements, there may well be up to 40 complaintants with respect to Mr Spillane alone."
The three men are currently on bail and required to report to authorities on a weekly basis.
Outside the courtroom, Mr Walsh evoked the crucible and said his clients had been subject to a witch hunt.
"It is a witch hunt," he said. "What we have here are examples of mass hysteria and moral panic.
"What we've seen to date in this case is, in my view, nothing short of a disgrace.
"Each of these men have pleaded not guilty, they strenuously assert their innocence, they deny all allegations.
"We've seen over-zealous police officers, zealous media reporting which has utterly prejudiced and sought to prejudice my clients' legitimate rights," Mr Walsh said.
Standing behind Mr Walsh as he criticised evidence based on "repressed memory" and likened the allegations of abuse at St Stanislaus to "John Proctor seeing dragons in his house," was a 35-year-old alleged victim who can not be named for legal reasons.
"Well, I think they are witches," the alleged victim told reporters.
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