Police Interview Paedophile Priest Gerald Ridsdale over New Abuse Claims

By Genevieve Gannon, Anthony Dowsley
The Australian
May 30, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/police-interview-paedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-over-new-abuse-claims/story-e6frg6n6-1226654011941

ONE of Australia's worst paedophile priests has been interviewed by police over new abuse claims.

Former Victorian Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale, who is eligible for parole next month after serving a jail sentence for abusing 30 boys between 1961 and 1987, was interviewed in prison.

The allegations relate to historical child sex abuse matters allegedly committed in the 1960s and '70s, when he was working as a Catholic priest.

A magistrate allowed detectives to conduct the interview.

It comes after the Herald Sun revealed in March Ridsdale could be freed from jail next month.

Victoria Police confirmed it had applied to interview Ridsdale but would not say how many alleged victims had made complaints.

"Detectives from the Taskforce Sano today made application to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court for the interview of a 79-year-old Victorian man in relation to historical child sexual abuse matters committed in the 1960s and '70s, when he was working as a catholic priest," a statement released said.

Clergy abuse support group Broken Rights says more people have come forward with allegations against Ridsdale.

"We keep getting calls from victims," Broken Rights researcher Bernard Barrett said.

He said the group had referred fresh complaints against Ridsdale to Taskforce Sano, formed in December to investigate historical and new abuse allegations arising from the state's sex abuse inquiry.

Ridsdale was jailed in 1994 for offences against 21 victims - 20 boys and one girl - while a priest at a number of churches between 1961 and 1982.

He was convicted of further charges in 2006 for offences committed against 10 boys from 1970 to 1987.

The Adult Parole Board will hear submissions from Ridsdale's known victims before it considers the case for his early release.

The board says it has not made a decision about Ridsdale's suitability for release.

The inquiry heard the church had substantiated claims by 67 abuse victims against Ridsdale.