I Never Meant to Defend Paedophile, Claims Cleric

By Gordon Deegan
Irish Independent
November 21, 2014

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/i-never-meant-to-defend-paedophile-claims-cleric-30762209.html

Patrick Barry is led away after being sentenced

Canon Bob Hanna confirmed last night that his Church of Ireland "at top and local levels" have queried why he gave a testimonial on behalf of the convicted paedophile in court earlier this month. Canon Hanna released the statement after one of Barry's 11 victims said after his sentencing that she was "disturbed" by the priest's testimonial.

On Wednesday at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Gerald Keyes sentenced the remorseless Barry to 11 years in jail with the final five suspended, stating that the former school principal had stolen the youth and robbed the childhood of the girls that he abused.

The girls were aged between nine and 13 when the abuse took place at Moyasta National School, Co Clare, over a 21-year period between 1964 and 1985. One of the victims described Barry as a vicious wolf lying in wait for her every day and who "terrorised and abused me for daily for years".

Barry spent his first night in jail in Limerick Prison and is to be transferred to the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.

However, prior to sentencing - but after Barry's conviction of 59 counts of sexual assault against the girls - the court heard a testimonial from local church leader Canon Hanna read out. It described the former school principal as a "spiritual man".

The testimonial penned by the Ennis-based priest stated that Canon Hanna had known Padraig de Barra for 20 years.

Canon Hanna said: "Padraig's life of faith was intertwined naturally and gently with normal human pursuits. I never ever saw anything other than a spiritual man using his talents in the interests of his church and his community.

"The image presented by the conviction seems such a shocking aberration from the generally-held picture of a genial, courteous and fulfilled and happily-retired professional man whose erudition in local history and culture and church music would make him forever engaged and an enthusiastic neighbour to all."

Canon Hanna said: "Padraig de Barra would have been the last person one would have thought to be involved in any act that would hurt or offend a child".

However, in response to the victim's comments, Canon Hanna said last night: "I fully understand her feelings and those of her fellow victims following the immense hurt which has accompanied them over past decades up to and including the sentencing of Barry.

"Of course, unreservedly, I would want to make this support even more resonant now that the judge has pronounced… Without qualification, the ladies who have suffered this abuse have and deserve my first and greatest sympathy."

Canon Hanna said that at short notice, he was asked to give a background testimonial for Mr Barry.

He said: "Shocked and disorientated as I was with the news of his conviction, and huge discomfort around this denial, I confess to deciding to let events unfold, since I was physically distant from Kilkee.

"The testimonial was seen on my part to be merely rounding off a personal picture of the man alongside other testimonials. It was not a defence of the man who was convicted."

He added: "I didn't have the proper opportunity to meet with the offended ladies and offer my condolences as a priest and perhaps I might soon have that." The cleric said he stood with the abused women and "now we must help each other to pick up the pieces".