‘A culture of bullying, violence and fear’
PAEDOPHILE priest Malachy Finnegan taught at St Colman’s College in Newry from 1967 to 1976 and later served as president of the grammar school.
The first allegation of abuse against him came to light in 1994, several years after Finnegan left the school, according to former Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey.
A second allegation, not related to St Colman’s, came in 1998 without any further allegations surfacing until after Finnegan’s death in January 2002. As of February, there were 12 claims of sexual or physical abuse against him.
The Diocese of Dromore reached a settlement with one of the 12 victims in October last year and has been accused of having knowledge of the abuse.
Clement Leneghan detailed the abuse he endured at St Colman’s in the 1980s.
He wrote: ‘Can he have been able to get away with this for so long without other adults in the school, or the diocese, turning a blind eye, or actively protecting him?
‘He presided over a culture of bullying, violence, intimidation and secrecy.’
The victims claim police were notified about Finnegan’s actions in 1996 but failed to investigate further.
However, the police told the BBC a formal complaint was never made although there had been reports about Finnegan’s behaviour.
Bishop McAreavey resigned earlier this month due to the controversy.