Fresh Claims of Sex Abuse at School As More Come Forward

By Jody Harrison
Herald Scotland
August 6, 2013

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/fresh-claims-of-sex-abuse-at-school-as-more-come-forward.21799497

POLICE are investigating fresh allegations of sexual and physical abuse by monks at a former ­Catholic boarding school in the Highlands.

An investigation was launched after former pupils at Fort Augustus Abbey school said they had been molested and beaten by monks over a period of three decades from the 1950s.

In a statement, Police Scotland said they were now liaising with a number of law enforcement agencies across the UK and abroad.

There have also been claims of abuse at Carlekemp, the abbey's feeder school in East Lothian. Both schools are now closed.

Following further ­coverage of the abuse claims last week, more people have come forward, Police Scotland said.

Detective Chief Inspector Pamela Ross said: "Further individuals were identified as part of the investigation and, following recent media coverage, a further number of former pupils have come forward to speak to us.

"We understand it must be very difficult to speak about such matters but, if anyone has any information about this case, they are encouraged to come forward and report this to police.

"Any such reports will be directed to the inquiry team and investigated and dealt with very sensitively by trained officers."

The investigation was launched after a report in March by a former pupil of the abbey school.

Last week, five men said in a TV documentary that they had been raped or sexually abused by Father Aidan Duggan, an Australian monk who taught at Carlekemp and Fort Augustus between 1953 and 1974. Father Duggan died in 2004 but some of the abuse claims relate to men who are still alive.

One of Scotland's most senior Catholics apologised to pupils during mass at Fort Augustus church on Sunday. Hugh Gilbert, Bishop of Aberdeen, said: "It is a most bitter, shaming and distressing thing that in this former Abbey School a small number of baptised, consecrated and ordained Christian men physically or sexually abused those in their care."

The Bishop added that he was "anxious that there be a thorough police investigation".

He continued: "The Catholic Church in Scotland has been addressing this issue increasingly effectively in recent years. We want to work with all public bodies who care for the young and vulnerable adults.

"We wish to share our experience and share best practice so that lessons can be learned and children can always be fully protected."

Reports claimed yesterday that records could reveal up to 100 priests and other individuals linked to the Church who faced abuse claims.

Police Scotland urged anyone with information about abuse should get in touch by calling 101.