Priest Abuse Report 'Manipulated Truth'

Big Pond News
June 24, 2013

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2013/06/24/Priest_abuse_report_manipulated_truth_882433.html

The inquiry has heard Catholic priests in the NSW Hunter region was 'written on a saddle of lies.'

A police whistleblower's report that sparked an inquiry into child sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the NSW Hunter region was 'written on a saddle of lies', the inquiry has heard.

Detective Sergeant Jeffery Little was giving evidence on Monday in the Newcastle Supreme Court at the special commission of inquiry into child abuse allegations in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese.

Since December 2010 Sgt Little has been in charge of Strike Force Lantle, which was established to look into complaints four alleged victims made about Father Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher, who are both now dead.

Sgt Little said the report by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, which suggested the police operation was a sham, included 'significant' inaccuracies.

Comments made by Det Insp Fox that the police operation was a sham were 'a manipulation of the truth', Sgt Little told Commissioner Margaret Cunneen.

'I was absolutely mortified by (his) comments that the strike force was a sham and set up to fail,' Sgt Little said.

Det Insp Fox asserts that sex crimes by priests were covered up by church officials.

They, and a 'Catholic mafia' within police ranks, hindered investigations and he was ordered to stop investigating alleged paedophilia by priests, he says.

Sgt Little said he had never heard the term 'Catholic mafia' until it was raised in the commission earlier this year.

He also said rather than having his investigations limited by senior police, they had given him every assistance, support and encouragement.