Mp Denies Using Phrase 'Catholic Mafia'

Otago Daily Times
May 8, 2013

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/australia/256059/mp-denies-using-phrase-catholic-mafia

Catholic Church officials and clergy, not police, obstructed investigations into allegations of child sexual abuse by NSW priests, a special state government commission of inquiry has been told.

The evidence given by state MP for Dubbo and former police officer Troy Grant contradicts the account of the man at the centre of the inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox.

Mr Grant, who as a policeman investigated sex abuse in 1995, denied he had told Insp Fox there was a "Catholic mafia" within the police force that hindered investigations into the Hunter Valley allegations.

Commissioner Margaret Cunneen today began hearing the third day of evidence in Newcastle into allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Hunter, including assertions by Insp Fox of a cover-up by the church and that senior police had ordered him to stop his investigations.

Mr Grant told the inquiry that "Catholic mafia" was not a phrase he had heard, let alone one he had used in conversations with Insp Fox.

Mr Grant said the hindrance and obstruction he had encountered had come from within the church.

The MP also said he recalled discussions with Insp Fox involving help and hindrance that involved Catholic Bishop Michael Malone, Monsignor Patrick Cotter, Sister Evelyn Woodward and Father Brian Lucas.

Mr Grant said that at no time did any police officer hinder his child sex investigations work and he received support from his superiors, naming three who stood out: Detective Chief Superintendent John Ure, Senior Sergeant John Mooney and Detective Sergeant Rhonda Mulligan.