Former priest John Joseph Farrell jailed for at least 18 years over child sexual assaults

By Nick Dole
ABC News
May 2, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-02/former-priest-john-joseph-farrell-sentences-to-18-years-jail/7374928

Farrell abused children at a public pool, on church property and during car trips.

One of John Joseph Farrell's victims Mark Boughton outside court today.

Former priest John Joseph Farrell has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years for a string of sexual assaults on children in the 1970s and 80s in New South Wales.Farrell, 62, who has previously been known as "Father F", was convicted earlier this year of 79 offences against 12 victims.

The assaults were committed against boys and girls, around Moree, Tamworth and Armidale.

Many of the victims were altar boys, but three of the victims were girls.

In the NSW District Court, Farrell was sentenced to a total of 29 years in prison with a non-parole period of 18 years.

The court heard the offences were committed at a public pool, on church property, during car trips and in private homes, sometimes with the victims' relatives just metres away.

While Farrell was in a bedroom, sexually abusing one girl known as GT, a relative knocked on the door.

Farrell told the relative they were "just having a chat" and continued to abuse her.

On another occasion, he sexually abused the girl under a tablecloth, while chatting to other members of her family over lunch.

A male victim, known as BW, was an altar boy in Moree when he was raped by Farrell.

During the trial he told the court Farrell made it "perfectly clear" he would kill him and his family if he reported the abuse.

Mark Boughton, who was an altar boy in Moree when he was repeatedly abused by Farrell, said justice had been served.

"Maybe it'll show people they can stand up, do the right thing and get these so called people off the street," he said.

"Hopefully everyone can get on, move on and have a life.

"He got what he wanted, what he needed from [preying] on kids. It's not on."

Judge Peter Zahra said Farrell had abused his position of trust to engage in "a deliberate course of sexual abuse", assuming he would not get caught.

"The offender was aware of and exploited the powerful position he held as a priest," Judge Zahra said.

"The offender operated with supreme confidence his acts would not be detected.

"The victims were humiliated and degraded by the offender. They would have been confused about what was happening to them."

Judge Zahra said Farrell had shown "little evidence of remorse" and had "little insight into the harm he inflicted on the victims".

Two priests who had been accused of turning a blind eye to the sexual abuse of children in Moree and Parramatta denied they had ever heard Farrell admit his guilt.

Bishop of Armidale Michael Kennedy has said it was his earnest hope that the sentencing would be a significant step in achieving at least some level of justice in assisting this victims and their families to attain some level of healing and peace.

"I am on the record as acknowledging that the response and actions by the Diocese at that time were inadequate," Bishop Kennedy said in a statement.

"I cannot change past failures, however, I do once more offer all victims of abuse and their families my deepest, heartfelt and unequivocal apology.

"Today my thoughts and prayers are with all victims of abuse, especially the victims of John Farrell. What you have gone through is unimaginable and totally unacceptable."