AUSTRALIA
Courier Mail
BY PAUL MAGUIRE AAP JUNE 25, 2013
A JOURNALIST began a secret information exchange with a senior NSW police officer because she believed he was ready to investigate the concealment of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the Hunter Valley.
Newcastle Herald reporter Joanne McCarthy told a special NSW commission of inquiry on Tuesday that was the reason behind her extensive contact with Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox from 2010.
Under cross examination by barrister Wayne Roser on behalf of several other senior police officers, Ms McCarthy denied her arrangement with Det Insp Fox had anything to do with difficulties he may have been encountering within the force.
When explaining a series of emails during 2010 and 2011 between herself and the officer, Ms McCarthy said: “He was ready to investigate concealment.
“Possibly he was feeling isolated and alone.
“I think I was a bit of a sounding board, I guess he was feeling pretty much on the outer and I was trying (she broke off and resumed) … possibly we were both feeling the same way.”
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