McAleese brother wants abuse probe
THE brother of former President Mary McAleese has called on those with knowledge of historical child abuse to come forward and give that information to the authorities.
Clem Leneghan made his appeal after the former President gave a moving radio interview regarding the abuse her brother suffered at the hands of priest Malachy Finnegan, while a pupil at St Colman’s College, Newry, Co Armagh.
Mr Leneghan (49) called for a full and public inquiry, saying: “My sister Mary McAleese referred to instances of abuse by Malachy Finnegan at St Colman’s College, Newry.
“While it is true that I suffered psychological and physical abuse at that school, I will be making no further comment on the details at this time. I do not wish my story to take the spotlight away from where it belongs – which is on the need for truth and justice for the many victims of Finnegan’s lifetime of criminal sexual abuse of children.
“I call on Karen Bradley, as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to lose no time in initiating an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse at St Colman’s College.
“While Finnegan himself can no longer be called to account in the courts, I know other adults – both in St Colman’s and within the Dromore Diocese – knew of his activities and failed to act.
“Gentlemen, you know who you are. On behalf of all victims of abuse, of whatever form, I call on you to come forward and tell what you know to the PSNI.”
The Northern Ireland Office has so far rejected a call for an inquiry. Mr Leneghan gave the statement to RTÉ Radio One’s ‘Today with Sean O’Rourke’ show yesterday.
Fr Finnegan died in 2002 and has since been linked to a series of child abuse allegations, including sexual and physical attacks.