Woman Was Suicidal over "Priest Abuse"

UTV
September 25, 2012

http://www.u.tv/News/Woman-was-suicidal-over-priest-abuse/4f9cf3fa-81fb-4d2b-b52d-4394cee90cb5

A woman, who claims she was abused by a Catholic priest as a child, gave tearful evidence about the choices she faced - reporting the alleged abuse or committing suicide.

The alleged abuse took place in the 1980s - but was reported two years ago. (© UTV)

The 40-year-old woman told the jury how she "turned to drink" in an effort to block her memories of abuse at the hands of 69-year-old Peter Donnelly.

The alleged abuse, which happened in the 1980s, was reported to police two years ago.

Donnelly, from Drumaroad Hill in Castlewellan, was curate at St Matthew's Church, Bryson Street, Belfast at the time.

He denies six counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency alleged to have occurred on dates between 31 July, 1983 and 1 August, 1987.

His alleged victim was aged between 10 and 14-years-old at the time.

On Tuesday, she gave evidence at Belfast Crown Court over a live TV link up.

The woman told prosecution lawyer Kate McKay: "I was coming to the end of the road."

The stark choice facing her, she told the lawyer, was either to report the alleged abuse "or take my own life...I don't think I could have went any lower".

She admitted: "I was thinking that I was the one to blame and I thought that's what people would have thought of me and that they would not have believed me."

She recounted how she was regularly in the Parochial House helping out with various duties around the church when the priest repeatedly kissed her with "an open mouth, putting his tongue in my mouth."

He also groped her chest as he rubbed himself against her in the hallway of the Parochial House.

At the time, she described how she was "well developed" for her age compared to her friends and that at times, Donnelly told her she was a "lovely girl".

Often wiping away tears, the alleged victim said she could remember one occasion when the priest had shepherded her into the dining room.

He was groping her, again as he allegedly rubbed himself against her, while making "moaning noises".

Repeatedly refusing the offer of a break, she told the court and jury that on another occasion Donnelly offered to show her the Oratory of the Parochial House - but instead led her into his bedroom on the top floor.

Crying as she gave evidence, she told Ms McKay how Donnelly had instructed her to take her top off and he then took off his own shirt and trousers.

While on his bed, he then groped her chest and private parts before taking her hand to make her touch him, adding that "the more I was doing it the more noise he was making".

Once dressed and leaving the bedroom, she claimed that he told her to come back to the Parochial House some night so they could watch a video.

She added:"I can't remember what I said but looking back, I think he was preparing to do more."

Asked if there were any further incidents of abuse, the woman said there had been - but only in the hallway of the Parochial House.

She said it never happened in the bedroom or dining room again and that it ended when the priest was moved to a different parish.

The trial continues. At hearing.