Ex-Catholic Brother to Reveal If He'll Fight Extradition

ABC News
December 17, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-17/former-catholic-brother-to-reveal-if-he27ll-fight-extradition/4430908

Former Catholic Brother Bernard McGrath to reveal if he'll oppose extradition back to Australia to face child sex charges. (Rchard)

A former Lake Macquarie Catholic brother accused of raping dozens of boys is today expected to reveal if he will fight plans to extradite him from New Zealand.

Hunter region detectives have spent more than a year investigating allegations relating to the Kendall Grange boys home at Morisset south of Newcastle.

It was run by the St John of God order and police allege former Brother Bernard McGrath abused 35 boys while working there.

McGrath, who has been living in Christchurch, New Zealand, is currently facing 252 child sex charges.

He has been on strict conditional bail after facing Christchurch District Court earlier this month.

As part of the conditions he was forced to surrender his passport and was banned from going within 100 metres of any primary or secondary school unless he was driving past.

There had been criticism of New South Wales police after McGrath went to Sri Lanka for a holiday but detectives have told the ABC they knew he would return to New Zealand.

McGrath is due to face Christchurch District Court today to reveal if he will fight plans to extradite him to Australia.

Detectives leading the case have not flown to New Zealand.

They have told the ABC even if McGrath does not fight the extradition order he has a 14 day cooling off period.