IRELAND
Irish Times
Patsy McGarry
A parish priest anonymously and falsely accused of child sexual abuse has said he was cut loose and hung out to dry by Catholic Church authorities.
Fr Tim Hazelwood, priest of Killeagh, Co Cork, recently settled a High Court action and got an apology from the man who made the allegation in 2010.
“After six years my accuser has now settled the court action I had taken. I have received a detailed signed retraction and admission that lies had been told and a signed apology was received. My legal fees were paid and a generous donation to my nominated charity has been paid,” the priest said.
“While I have no understanding behind the motives of my accuser, my reflections are mainly around my church, which I felt cut me loose, hung me out to dry, disowned me and left me feeling very alone. I struggled between my desire to clear my name and the expectation to lie low and to say nothing, hoping that it will go away.”
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