Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Come forward if you knew about paedo priest’s abuse’
President’s brother in emotional plea
THE brother of former Irish President Mary Mcaleese has called on those who knew about his torment at the hands of a paedophile priest to come forward.
Clem Leneghan was physically and psychologically abused at the hands of depraved Fr Malachy Finnegan at St Colman’s College in Newry.
The 49-year-old has asked those who know what happened to him and others to contact the authorities.
He spoke out yesterday after his sister, Ms Mcaleese, revealed on live radio on Monday he was “seriously, physically, sadistically abused by Malachy Finnegan”.
The teacher had been accused of sexually abusing 12 boys, but died in 2002.
In a statement read on the Sean O’rourke show on RTE Radio 1 yesterday, Mr Leneghan said: “I do not wish my story to take the spotlight away from where it belongs, which is 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 to lose no time in initiating an independent inquiry into child sexual FOUR men involved in a cross border drugs gang were jailed yesterday.
They were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court for their role in the supply of controlled drugs by an organised crime gang operating in Derry and Co Donegal. Desmond Enfield, 34, Kieran Austin, 61, and 33-year-old Darren Donnelly all previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B controlled drugs.
Seamus Boyce, 38, previously pleaded guilty to possession of Class B controlled drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B controlled 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 more broadly 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 now to come forward and tell what you know to the PSNI. Please do it today.
“If you can find the courage to speak, then you may even now help bring some healing for those who continue to suffer for the crimes of Malachy Finnegan.” drugs. It brings to a close a proactive joint investigation between the PSNI’S Organised Crime Unit and An Garda Siochana, into the importation and supply of controlled drugs.
Detective Inspector Tom Mcclure of PSNI’S Organised Crime Unit said: “On April 22, 2016, officers searched three vehicles in a layby at Derrymacash Road, Lurgan.
“In one of the vehicles, officers uncovered herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £300,000 in 15 vacuum packed plastic bags in the back of one of the vehicles.
“All four have now been sentenced for their role in the supply of controlled drugs by an
organised crime gang operating in Derry/londonderry and County Donegal areas.”
Enfield, of Ramelton, Co Donegal, was given 24 months imprisonment, with 12 to be served on licence, as well as a forfeiture order issued for a Audi vehicle.
Boyce, of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was given 16 months imprisonment, with eight to be served on licence, as well as a forfeiture order for a Ford vehicle.
Austin, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, was given 16 months imprisonment, with eight to be served on licence.
Donnelly, of Sixmilecross, Omagh, Co Tyrone, was given 12 months imprisonment, with six to be served on licence.