The Journal
July 2, 2011
http://www.thejournal.ie/priest-apologises-to-victim-for-abuse-168002-Jul2011/
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A PRIEST WHO subjected his former parishioner to abuse from the age of ten in the eighties has apologised to her today.
Paul McGennis, who is now 79, pleaded guilty to eight sample counts of sexual abuse at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, reports RTE. His name had been witheld in the Murphy Reports, according to 98fm, but the court allowed him to be indentified.
He had told the victim that she would be thrown out of the church if she told anyone.
The abuse took place in the priest’s house in a parish in Dublin City Centre, and then continued when he moved to another Dublin parish. The victim said in a victim impact statement he innocence, childhood and future was stolen. She reported the abuse to Gardai following a suicide attempt.
McGennis, who is now retired, told the victim and her family that he was sorry for the “stress and torture” he had put them through.
The former priest will be sentence next month. RTE reports that his lawyers say he is at a low risk of reoffending, and that his remorse is genuine.
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