PSNI continues its investigation into paedophile priest Finnegan
PAEDOPHILE priest Malachy Finnegan has been linked to a string of child abuse allegations, understood to have taken place at St Colman’s College in Newry and later in the parish of Clonduff in Co Down.
The scandal surrounding the cleric, who died in 2002, emerged in February, four months after the Church agreed a landmark financial settlement with one of his victims.
Finnegan worked at St Colman’s College from 1967 to 1987, and spent his last 11 years at the boys’ grammar school as president.
He moved to Clonduff as parish priest in January 1988.
The Diocese of Dromore was aware of 10 allegations against the priest before a BBC ‘Spotlight’ programme brought his crimes into the public arena last month.
At least three more complaints have been passed to the Church since it aired and the PSNI has received at least eight reports in recent weeks.
Dr John McAreavey stood down from his post as Bishop of Dromore on March 1 after coming under fire for his handling of the case.
The bishop, who took up his position in 1999, was criticised when it emerged he said Mass with Finnegan in 2000.
It also came to light that Dr McAreavey officiated over his funeral Mass two years later, despite knowing about allegations against the priest.
Dr McAreavey apologised last month for what he called “an error of judgment”.
However pressure mounted, including criticism from a number of parents in the diocese who voiced concerns about his presence at their children’s upcoming confirmation ceremonies.
Abhorrent
Dr McAreavey described the crimes of Finnegan as “abhorrent, inexcusable and indefensible”.
The bishop, who has also spoken to a victim of Finnegan, said that his decision – made when he was a priest – to say the Mass “was the wrong one”.
Earlier this month, the senior cleric announced his decision to resign from his post.
In a statement released by his solicitors Arthur J Downey, the bishop said his resignation would take “immediate effect”.
In the simple two-line statement, Dr McAreavey said: “Following media reports which have disturbed and upset many people in the diocese and further afield.
“I have decided to resign with immediate effect.
“I shall make further comment in due course.”
The bishop was later defended by his nephew, John McAreavey, the widower of Michaela Harte.
John McAreavey denounced what he called callous and vindictive coverage of the Bishop’s resignation.
Departure
Dr McAreavey’s departure left Canon Liam Stevenson to take up the reins until a permanent replacement is found.
The diocese was aware of 10 allegations before a BBC programme
The Diocese of Dromore has said the first report about Finnegan came to the Church in 1994.
A second report was made to police in 1996, although the victim, who was just 17 at the time, did not submit a formal complaint.
Two years later, in 1998, he
brought his allegation to the diocese.
The PSNI said it did not receive a report from the diocese relating to Finnegan until 2006.
The board of governors at St Colman’s condemned the abuse inflicted on pupils by Finnegan and ordered all images of him to be removed from the school.
In 2011, Dr McAreavey said he welcomed an independent audit into allegations against priests in the diocese between 1975 and 2011.
He also asked the auditors to review the cases of three deceased priests, including Finnegan.
In response to the revelations, the PSNI has set up a dedicated unit to investigate “clerical and institutional abuse” involving the priest.
St Colman’s College has pledged that it will “co-operate fully”.