Former Catholic Priest Robert Flaherty Jailed over 1970s Child Abuse

By Stephanie Dalzell
ABC News
February 25, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-25/former-catholic-priest-jailed-over-child-abuse-offences/7200914

A former Catholic priest has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for child assault offences in New South Wales dating back to the 1970s.

Robert Flaherty, 72, assaulted three boys in their early teens in Sydney and at Mollymook, on the state's south coast, during the 1970s and 1980s, but was only arrested in 2013.

A complaint was first made in 1972, however instead of being referred to police, Flaherty was transferred to a parish in Ryde.

The former priest pleaded guilty to three offences of indecent assault, but was also found guilty by a jury last September of two further offences.

He appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre court and sat impassively as his sentence was handed down.

Judge Richard Cogswell read from the victims' impact statements, where one talked of the shame, guilt and anger he had been left with.

"It was the leaders of the church who contributed to the mess my life has become," the statement read.

"What happened has robbed me of having faith.

"How can I have faith in a church that allows a paedophile to move from parish to parish, giving them a playground of vulnerable children?"

Another said he felt isolated from his family and had had difficulties in relationships since the assault.

Justice Cogswell said the abuse occurred in circumstances involving a very serious breach of trust.

He also noted pre-sentencing reports which said Flaherty had shown little victim empathy.

He said imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence.

"To my mind the offending behaviour ... is such that it would not be appropriate to allow Mr Flaherty not to serve full time in prison," he said.

However he said Flaherty's health conditions, which include depression, a history of renal failure and diabetes, meant the non-parole period would be significantly shorter.

Flaherty was sentenced to two years and three months in prison, but will be eligible for parole in August.

The court heard Flaherty intends to appeal against some of the convictions.

He was allowed to temporarily walk free from court, but will return on Friday to discuss whether he will be eligible for bail during the appeal.