Disgraced Coalisland Priest Defied Cardinal, The Ulster Herald, March 22, 2010

Disgraced Coalisland Priest "Defied Cardinal

The Ulster Herald
March 22, 2010

http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/UH/free/333300397833491.php

Coalisland priest Fr Joe Quinn who has continued to wear his clerical attire despite being suspended from his ministry. In recent days he has been at the centre of a rape allegation and alleged secret payments of ?45,000 to a victim.

PEOPLE who know disgraced Coalisland priest Fr Joseph Quinn have spoken of their shock on learning that he has been suspended from the ministry for a number of years, and yet continues to wear his clerical collar in public.

In the last month Fr Quinn has led prayers at the wake of a local man, attended a funeral and appeared at other public occasions wearing his priest attire.

In recent days the revelation broke that Fr Quinn had paid ?45,000 compensation to a woman who made allegations of sexual abuse against him.

According to an alleged victim who claimed that she was abused by Fr Quinn, the money was paid by the priest to cover for damages and legal costs. The allegations against Fr Quinn were made around nine years ago when he was based in Dungannon. It is understood they were of a sexual nature and made by two girls aged 17 or 18.

Cardinal Sean Brady, the Catholic primate of all-Ireland, said that the day after Fr Quinn was interviewed by the police he suspended him from his duties. The cardinal added that Fr Quinn was tried on another allegation in court and was acquitted. Despite this, the cardinal said he did not reinstate Fr Quinn to his former duties.

He said one of the alleged victims then sought compensation and this was settled between her and Fr Quinn.

Cardinal Brady said the priest still remained suspended from ministry and is forbidden to wear clerical attire.

However, many members of the public were unaware of the suspension as Quinn openly wore the attire in public.

Speaking to the TyroneHerald, the Armagh Diocesan secretary Fr John Conway was clearly angry with Fr Quinn's refusal to obey his superior's instructions.

Fr Conway said, "I know he wears the collar and I have seen him myself. He is simply defying orders because that is his nature and he is also defying the cardinal. You give him an instruction and he doesn't follow it, what can you do? Of course we are aware of it, but what can you do?

"He is still a priest. I understand the thinking for not putting it in the public domain was because there were civil cases ongoing and to do so would prejudice them.

"These cases were going on throughout the entire period. There is certainly a process to have him removed as a priest ongoing."

When asked about Fr Quinn appearing in public wearing his priest's attire, Fr Conway said, "I would well believe it. He has totally defied instructions. What can you do apart from follow him down the street, wrestle him to the ground and rip it off him but that is not a realistic proposal. He simply does not obey orders. I can understand people are shell shocked by this."