THE 47 YEAR OLD VICTIM OF SEVERE SEXUAL ABUSE BY A DOWN AND CONNOR PRIEST IS SAYING THAT SHE TOLD FATHER MARTIN O’ HAGAN OF “THE PRIESTS” 30 YEARS AGO THAT ANOTHER D&C ABUSED HER AS A LITTLE GIRL.
We have decided to call the victim “Marie”.
TREANOR REFUSING TO MEET DOWN AND CONNOR ABUSE VICTIM
At the time she told Martin O’Hagan he was the curate at St. Matthew’s parish in East Belfast.
The parish priest at the time was a Father Eamon O’Brien who has since passed away.
Her revelation to the two priests was made at a dinner in the priest’s house to thank parish volunteers. Marie was part of the parish choir and she and Martin O’Hagan performed duos during church services.
At the time Father O’Brien promised Marie he would do something about her abuse – but it seems he never did. O’Brien himself had the reputation of being a womaniser.
Did Martin O’Hagan do anything about it?
I asked him via email yesterday morning:
Dear Martin,
Xxxxx from St Matthews, who used to sing duos with you when you were a curate there says she told you and Eamon O’Brien of her sexual abuse by Fr Xxxx Xxxxxxx as a child.
She says she told you this in the context of a meal for church volunteers held in the presbytery.
Did you inform the bishop of her abuse?
Did you inform the police or social services?
If not, why not?
Pat
Martin replied:
Dear Pat
I always take complaints of abuse very seriously and ensure any complaint brought to my attention is reported to the statutory authorities.
I have never received any allegations in relation to the priest you have named in your correspondence.
However I have passed on your query and its’ content to the Diocesan Safeguarding Office and have asked them to liaise with the appropriate statutory authorities.
Sincerely
Martin
At the time of the abuse Marie was only 12/13. The priest who abused her was a priest of St Matthew’s parish and he abused her both in his car and on church property.
When she told O’Hagan and O’Brien about the abuse she was only 17.
Had it being address at that time her intense suffering of the last 30 years could have been avoided or at least reduced.
Marie is still trying to get justice – but the alleged abuser has fled the jurisdiction and the PSNI are having problems getting him retuned.
IS ABUSE FUGITIVE STILL BEING PAID BY TREANOR
Marie believes that the fugitive priest is still being paid a monthly salary by Noel Treanor and the diocese of Down and Connor.
He is a “retired” priest of the diocese and the thought is that he is being given £1,500 – £2,000 a month to draw out from his bank account in his new country.
Do you not think that Noel Treanor should be telling him that he has a most serious moral and legal duty to return and answer the charges against him – while of course, regarding him as innocent until proven guilty.
Marie is not the only alleged victim.
In my opinion, his monthly salary should be withheld pending his return. Otherwise, Treanor and D&C are aiding his fugitivity.
The fugitive is claiming that he is not well enough to travel.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 