NZ to Extradite Man over Aust Sex Charges

Sydney Morning Herald
June 11, 2013

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/nz-to-extradite-man-over-aust-sex-charges-20130611-2o1gt.html

Former Catholic brother Bernard McGrath will be extradited to Australia from New Zealand to face child sex charges barring a successful appeal.

Judge Jane Farish ruled in Christchurch District Court that it would not be unjust or oppressive to McGrath, 65, for him to face charges that he repeatedly raped, molested and abused dozens of young boys at institutions in NSW during the late 1970s and 1980s.

He faces 252 charges, which follow allegations by 35 complainants.

McGrath now has 15 days to appeal the decision, or he can voluntarily return to Australia.

McGrath's lawyer Phillip Allan had argued extradition would be unjust or oppressive, particularly given the period of time since the alleged offending.

But prosecutor Mark Zarifeh said the delays had not been excessive given the scale and complexity of the investigations, and there was no indication of malice on behalf of police or a deliberate decision to delay the investigation.

Judge Farish said McGrath had to prove on the balance of probabilities that extraditing him would be unjust or oppressive, and she was not satisfied he had proved that.

A number of suppression orders were made by Judge Farish in her judgment.