A priest who was falsely accused of rape pleaded for leniency for the Dublin city man who claimed he had abused him as a child. Paul Anderson (aged 34), of Crumlin Park, Crumlin and formerly of Fatima Mansions and Iveagh Trust Flats, New Bride Street has been jailed for four years for falsely claiming he was buggered by a priest when he six years old. The accused priest forgave the defendant but admitted: “ would have honestly preferred had the perpetrator shot me through the head rather than have put me and my family through the pangs of anxiety and the profound sufferings we endured over the past four years." Paul Anderson was convicted in June by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of falsely claiming the priest sexually abused him while allegedly giving him First Holy Communion tuition over 25 years ago. The priest accused by Anderson told the court during cross-examination that he "absolutely had not abused and buggered" Anderson and that his allegations were … [Read more...]
Wrongly Accused Parents Able To Keep Baby
A Norfolk couple have won their battle to keep their baby after a long campaign to clear themselves of child- abuse claims.But it is a bittersweet victory for Mark and Nicky Webster, who fled to Ireland to have their baby boy, fearing he would be snatched into care by the authorities who put their three older children into adoption.The Cromer couple learned that an expert witness had changed his mind on key medical evidence which decided the other children's fate in 2003. The consultant, who earlier said broken bones suffered by one of the children were caused by force, now accepted they could have resulted from the youngster having brittle bones caused by a vitamin deficiency after a nine-month diet of soya milk.Last night, their MP Norman Lamb called the saga a “horrifying miscarriage of justice” and called for a full inquiry into how “three children were taken away from innocent parents”.Source: Norwich Evening News (full story) … [Read more...]
Government Issue Consultation Paper
The Government have issued a Consultation Paper on implementing the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Northern Ireland Order 2007 This is a consultation on the barring policy and processes, including the list of automatic barring offences, under the new vetting and barring scheme to be introduced by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. The scheme comes into force from Autumn 2008. Comments from groups and individuals are welcome. … [Read more...]
Man sues State over ‘false’ evidence he was abusing son [Ireland]
A man is suing the State for creating false evidence to accuse him of sexually abusing children.Believed to be the first case of its kind in Ireland, the proceedings were filed in the High Court last year following a garda and health boardinvestigation, which led to the man wrongfully being registered as a 'sexual, physical and psychological' danger to his son.The Health Service Executive and two solicitors named as defendants have filed a defence denying the case.The State solicitor filed court papers acknowledging the case in March last year and is now preparing a defence for the gardai and the Ministers for Justice and Health.Another two men are preparing similar compensation cases against the State arising from the same investigation by gardai.The High Court summons against the State was filed last year and alleges that a malicious garda and health board investigation was conducted against the three, who cannot be named to protect the identities of their children.A garda file … [Read more...]
Man on trial for falsely accusing priest of rape reiterates claims
A man on trial for falsely claiming a priest buggered him has repeated the allegation in direct evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.The 33-year-old accused denies making a false statement to Gardai on June 18, 2003 that acts of indecent assault and buggery had been committed on him by the priest between February and May 1981.The man, who can't be named for legal reasons, outlined what he says happened on seven alleged successive visits to the priest's house when he was six years old, including anal rape and attempted oral rape.Source: Belfast Telegraph … [Read more...]
False claims destroying careers
Teacher tells of false claim ordeal. A former teacher from Northern Ireland falsely accused of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old pupil has said he no longer feels safe around children. Teachers at a NASUWT conference in Belfast are to demand the government brings in legislation to protect them from malicious allegations by pupils or parents. Teachers want more protection from cyber bullying David Bell who was suspended as a result of the allegation, but cleared two years later in court, said some pupils were now aware how vulnerable teachers were to such allegations. "It's certainly a way of neutralising a teacher who they may have a grudge against," Mr Bell said. "I don't think many teachers actually survive suspensions. It undermines their own confidence, it undermines their careers, their standing in the schools." Mr Bell was foundafter returning to work he was the subject of another false allegation. A pupil injured in a playground fight claimed the teacher … [Read more...]
Male Nurses Afraid of Physical Touch
Male nurses in Ireland are often afraid to use physical touch when caring for female patients in case they are accused of sexual abuse. According to a new study by Trinity College, male nurses, both general and psychiatric, are regularly apprehensive about touching female patients for fear of that touch being interpreted in the wrong way (more) … [Read more...]
L.O.V.E. May Not Disband
After a period of rest and reflection the charity L.O.V.E (Let Our Voices Emerge) is planning to reform. The group was set up by Florence Horsman Hogan in Ireland and has had considerable success in challenging false and exaggerated claims of child abuse in religious institutions. In a statement issued to the Press Florence said:- "Due to the extradinorary and unexpected inquiries flowing into the Let Our Voices Emerge charity, the trustees have taken the remarkable decision to reconsider total disbandment. We have been approached by a other high profile human interest groups who feel as we supported the Religious through the current crisis, our existence should not be allowed fade away without a strong fight. We hadn't realised our services were seen as so valuable to so many people.There are now talks in place where there may be a possibility that we can amalgamate with groups of similar interest, and continue our valuable and challenging work.These groups will avail … [Read more...]
Former child care worker cleared by Court of Appeal [Ireland]
A former childcare worker walked free from the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday after his conviction for the alleged buggery and indecent assault of a 14-year-old boy was quashed. In 2001, David Murray (63) was sentenced to jail for 10 years for indecent assault and buggery of a 14-year-old boy during a camping trip in Glendalough, Co Wicklow, 25 years ago. Murray, with a County Dublin address, had appealed both the sentence and the conviction. The Appeal Court ruled that, on grounds of failure to disclose documents which were said to contain material new evidence, the conviction of Murray was unsafe. The appeal against conviction had not been opposed by the Director of Public Prosecutions and when the Court of Criminal Appeal said yesterday it would order a retrial in the case, counsel for the DPP said he was not seeking a retrial because of passage of time since the alleged offences. The conviction which was set aside yesterday related to offences alleged to have … [Read more...]
Builders Blackmail City Councillors With False Sex Abuse Claims.[Ireland]
Our attention has been brought to the following article by Cormac Murphy which appeared in Dublin Evening Herald, on 5 February 2007 Garda Probe As Builders Blackmail City Councillors With False Sex Abuse Claims. Builders are blackmailing councillors with false allegations of child abuse to prevent them from opposing planning permission. Gardai are investigating two separate claims that property developers have falsely branded Dublin city councillors as paedophiles after planning decisions went against them. The hateful practice has been slammed by Fine Gael councillor Gerry Breen who said that he is aware of the two cases in question. Cllr Breen is now calling for protection for councillors against such slanderous allegations. “f you try to defend yourself against it people say ‘there’s no smoke without fire’. We need to make sure councillors are protected against unfair allegations”, he said. Public representatives became aware of the verbal … [Read more...]
Dail and church agree €1.3bn payout to child abuse victims
A report in the The Observer by Henry McDonald, Ireland editor on Sunday January 1, 2006 reportd thats:Irish taxpayers are to fund most of what is likely to be the largest payout from public funds to child abuse victims anywhere in the world. Organisations representing clerical abuse victims and members of the Dail claim the final compensation bill will be around €1.3 billion (£780 million). Under an indemnity scheme agreed between Bertie Ahern's government and the Conference of Religious in Ireland in June 2002, the Catholic Church will only pay €128m towards the bill. Last night the Church was challenged to contribute more to the overall payout for victims under its care over the last 50 years. Meanwhile the Irish state's watchdog of public finances, the Comptroller and Auditor General, refused this weekend to discuss or dispute the €1.3bn figure put forward by victims' groups. A CAG spokesperson simply referred to the office's annual reports for 2002 and 2003. In the … [Read more...]
L.O.V.E. to Disband
In a surprising and many ways sad development the Irish charity L.O.V.E (Let Our Voices Emerge) has announced its decision to disband. Its founder, Florence Horsman Hogan said "We now feel it’s time for us having made our point so successfully, to disband and move on with our lives. Our carers know they’re supported, they Irish public have been given the chance to hear the full story, and we can now do no more. The findings of the Ryan Commission, will come too late for all of those Institutions and religious personnel accused in the RIRB. The money now spent will burn holes of guilt through many pockets. For us to carry on would be a pointless waste of energy and resources. Life is for living in the future, not being pulled back into the poisoned memories of so many people who believe just because they were in an Institution, life owes them something. F.A.C.T would like to place on record its gratitude to L.O.V.E. for having the courage to confront injustice, … [Read more...]
MPs show support for accused teacher
The following press releases have been issued in support of David Bells attempt to clear his name. SDLP PRESS RELEASESDLP MP for South Belfast Dr. Alasdair McDonnell congratulated Mr Bell on winning leave for a judicial review saying:“I have been monitoring this issue for quite some time, as had my predecessor in South Belfast (Rev. Martin Smyth).“While everyone appreciates the need to take allegations seriously, many teachers now feel morale is at an all time low in their profession as they see careers ruined over false charges.”“Teachers are one of the cornerstones of our society and should be afforded fair and appropriate safeguards against false allegations, or those which have been blown out of proportion.”“I hope Mr Bell’s case stimulates a proper debate in this area and we can move forward in a way that reduces the risk of the careers of innocent professionals being ruined by unsubstantiated charges.”ENDS: 11.10.06 Further information: Alasdair McDonnell: … [Read more...]
Kathy’s Story – update
According to a report in The Times a woman who wrote a controversial bestseller about a violent father and sexual abuse by Irish priests says that she will answer her detractors in a new book that will reveal further shocking details. Kathy O’Beirne’s Don’t Ever Tell has sold more than 300,000 copies but her claims that she was raped and tortured in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries for “fallen women” have been dismissed as fabrications by the religious orders that ran them, by a woman who claims that they knew each other while living at a hostel, and by seven of her brothers and sisters. O’Beirne told The Times that she had documentary evidence proving her story but when asked to present it she refused. She said that her new book, The Aftermath: Who Am I, would vindicate her. “ have ten abusers in all. There’s files on all of them,” she said. (more) … [Read more...]
Kathy’s Story Update
The following article by David Sharrick was published in The Times. Author's family say abuse memoir is cruel hoaxDoubt has been cast on the 'childhood hell' in a Catholic institution recalled by an Irish writerIt is a harrowing story of a young woman’s life destroyed by nuns and priests, and it has raced to the top of the bestseller list. But now a chorus of voices, including those of the author’s own family, claim that the ordeal described by Kathy O’Beirne simply does not ring true and is nothing more than a cruel hoax. Kathy’s Story: a Childhood Hell in the Magdalene Laundries has sold more than 350,000 copies in Ireland and Britain, securing a place in the top five bestselling non-fiction titles in Britain, where it sells under the title Don’t Ever Tell. Published last year, the story of O’Beirne seemed to encap-sulate the anguish of a generation of Irish people whose experiences at the hands of religious orders left them scarred. And it could not have been … [Read more...]
Accused in Child Porn Inquiry to Sue Police – Class Action Launched
According to a report in the Scotsman several people accused in child porn inquiry are to sue the police:-Police who conducted the UK's biggest ever child-porn investigation are facing legal action from former suspects who say their lives have been ruined. About 30 people, including a number from Scotland, have put their names to a class action set to be launched against detectives behind Operation Ore. They claim their lives have been devastated by an investigation which has left hundreds of innocent people tarred by the same brush as the guilty. And they say they have secured evidence which shows that the basis for the investigation was false. But police insist they followed the correct procedures, while child welfare campaigners said the investigation proved paedophiles had "no place to hide". Operation Ore was launched four years ago after the credit- card details of 7,200 people believed to have paid for child porn on the internet were supplied to British police by US … [Read more...]
CCRC Refer Sex Case to Court of Appeal
The Criminal Cases Review Commission issued the following Press release on 14th August.COMMISSION REFERS SENTENCE FOR SEX OFFENCES OF ANDREW LAY TO THE COURT OF APPEALThe Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the sentence of Mr Andrew Lay, for a series of sexual and indecency offences, to the Court of Appeal.Mr Lay pleaded guilty to a series of sexual and indecency offences on 21 February 2003 at Guilford Crown Court. He was sentenced to a total of six years in prison with an extended licence period of five years.Mr Lay appealed against sentence in September 2003. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal. Mr Lay applied to the Commission on 9 December 2005. Having considered the development of the law in relation to extended licence periods, the Commission has decided to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal.The Commission is the independent public body set up by Parliament in 1997 to investigate possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland … [Read more...]
Kathy’s story – fact or fiction?
The controversy over the much heralded book Cathy's Story continues. In it the author claims she was she mistreated and abused by Nuns, and made to do menial work in the laundryLet Our Voices Emerge (L.O.V.E.) are 100% sure that Kathy O'Beirne was not in Magdalene laundry, and will help any journalist or investigative team who want to follow up the Sunday Mirror article with what we know.We are determined that this book will be proven in Ireland and the U.K as being a work of fiction. In the Irish Sunday Mirror yesterday [20th August], the family of Kathy O'Beirne have vehemently counteracted many of her claims in the book 'Kathy's Story'. She has lashed back saying 'I have never lied before - and I'm not going to start now'. Let Our Voices Emerge (L.O.V.E.) are 100% sure that Kathy O'Beirne was not in Magdalene laundry. Let Our Voices Emerge will help any journalist or investigative team who want to follow up the Sunday Mirror article with what they know and are … [Read more...]
FACTION – September edition on line
The September edition of FACTion can now be downloaded from hereIn this edition you will find news about:-Successful Appeals New Scotland Shows Old Scotland the Way - the Novia Scotia Experience Life as Abuse Falsely Accused North Wales Man Awarded £89,000 Coventry Teacher Unfairly Sacked Why Did These Two Men Have to Go to Prison? Kerelaw Schhol - an alternative View Honoured Head Teacher Calls for Change in the Law Home Affairs Select Committee to Review Workings of the Criminal Cases Review Commission Northern Ireland's Childrens' Commissioner Rapped for Misleading Reporting of AccusationLetter Page - Megan's Law In My Opinion - there is nothing like a dame! … [Read more...]
Children’s Commissioner Rapped Over Remarks Made About Teacher’s Actions
An article by Ciaran McGuigan in Northern Ireland's Sunday Life is critical of remarks made by the Children's Commissioner concerning controversial remarks made during the bitter Laurelhill Community College dispute. The article says:Children's champion rapped over remarksBy Ciaran McGuigan 16 July 2006 The Children's Commissioner has been warned about public statements his office issues following an Ombudsman probe into controversial remarks made during the bitter Laurelhill Community College dispute.The remarks made at the time by former Children's Commissioner, the late Nigel Williams, related to allegations of assault made against the teacher at the heart of the row, David Bell.Following a complaint by Mr Bell, who was falsely accused of indecent assault by a female pupil, Northern Ireland Ombudsman Tom Frawley has asked the interim Commissioner, Barney McNeany, to remove the controversial remarks from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young … [Read more...]
Priest welcomed back after suffering false allegations
A West of Ireland parish priest, Canon Niall Ahern, who has been allowed to return to ministry after an investigation found no basis for allegations of impropriety, has received an enthusiastic welcome back to his parish. Canon Ahern was removed from his parish at St Patrick's Church, Strandhill, Sligo last February because of a complaint against him going back to the late 1970s. Two months ago, Ireland's director of pubic prosecutions, James Hamilton, said there were no grounds for prosecution and this month, Bishop Christopher Jones of Elphin announced that a canonical investigation had also exonerated Canon Ahern. "No taint or suspicion attaches in any way to the priest," Bishop Jones stressed. "He enjoys the complete confidence of the bishop as he reaffirms him in full and ongoing ministry in the diocese." Canon Ahern was welcomed enthusiastically when he walked on to the altar to celebrate 12.30 pm in St. Patrick’s Church. After Mass, he was presented with a … [Read more...]
F.A.C.T. warn Kerelaw staff
The following article appeared in the Glasgow Herald on the 29th June 2006. A campaign group has written to every former employee of the scandal-hit Kerelaw residential school warning they are at risk of prosecution for child abuse. The group, Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers (Fact), believes staff should unite against what it regards as malicious claims from former pupils. However, it has still to produce evidence to back its claims that two former Kerelaw workers convicted last month are innocent. Teacher Matt George and care manager John Muldoon were jailed for respectively 10 years and two and a half years for sexually and physically abusing children. Sentencing George, Lady Paton said he was guilty of "a horrifying catalogue of offences" and a "gross breach of trust". Several former colleagues and friends of the pair have protested their innocence and both are expected to appeal. Fact is best known for supporting former Everton footballer and Southampton manager David … [Read more...]
Judge in Ireland calls for full disclosure in child sex cases
According to a report in the Irish Examiner on the 30th March by Vivion Kilfeather a Supreme Court Judge has called for a change in the procedure that would allow the disclosure to the prosecution of all material relating to old cases of alleged child sexual abuse. The reports says:- A Supreme Court judge has called for a change in procedure that would allow full disclosure, to defending lawyers, of all material relating to old cases of alleged child sexual abuse.Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman said a special jurisprudence has arisen in relation to child sex abuse allegations, in which prosecutions are routinely permitted after a lapse of time that would not normally be allowed.He said that the decision to allow the trials of very old cases carried with it a positive duty to take steps to ensure a fair trial.“Lapse of time undermines memory and often makes it difficult or impossible to challenge the complainant’s account, in any detailed way, or to find evidence with which to … [Read more...]
CCRC Refer Case to Appeal Court
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the convictions for rape and indecent assault of Mr Michael R to the Court of Appeal. Mr R was convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 28 August 1998 of three charges of rape and six charges of indecent assault against two girls. He was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison. Mr R was refused leave to appeal by a Single Judge in December 1998 and an application to the Full Court in February 2000 was also dismissed. Mr R applied to the Commission on 13 April 2005. Having considered a range of issues, including the directions given to the jury, the Commission has decided to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal. The Commission is the independent public body set up by Parliament in 1997 to investigate possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide if they should be referred to the appeal courts. Mr R is represented by Mr Chris … [Read more...]
Accused Priests Shouldnt Be Removed From Parishes
Priests accused of abuse allegations should not always be removed from their parishes, while parishioners have a right to a voice in any decision to remove a priest. That's according to Galway Novena Co-ordinator Fr Tony Flannery who spoke at the novena on Monday. In his opening talk, Fr Flannery expressed concern at standard practice for dealing with priests who face allegations. ?I know that abuse of children has been perpetrated by some priests and religious. It is important that those people be dealt with and removed from any possibility of causing further harm to children. What I am concerned about is the procedure that takes place when an allegation is made against a priest. Irrespective of the seriousness or authenticity of the allegation, the priest is immediately removed from his parish and a public statement is made at Sunday masses the following Sunday.This is effectively condemning the priest in public. From then on he is left, often with little or no support, to try to … [Read more...]
