TWO former pupils have provided testimonials challenging sexual abuse allegations made against a deceased Clarecastle Christian Brother missionary in a controversial RTÉ documentary.
Former students of CBC Pretoria have provided a glowing account of the role played by Br Gerard Dillon in the school from 1979 to 1984, in sharp contrast to the account of abuse given by Tyrone Selmon, on the Mission To Prey programme, focusing on Irish missionaries in South Africa.
Their account coincides with calls from members of the extended Dillon family for Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte to include the claims made against Br Dillon as part of the existing Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) inquiry into the defamation of Fr Kevin Reynolds.
Br Gerard Dillon, who taught in Pretoria, was accused of sexual abuse by former pupil Tyrone Selmon in the RTÉ programme broadcast last May.
Mr Selmon claimed the abuse occurred in the 1980s when he was a child and has repeatedly defended his version of events.
RTÉ insists that a number of other former pupils of Br Dillon, now living in other countries, have, independently of each other and voluntarily, made allegations of abuse against Br Dillon. "The accounts given by these now-adult ex-pupils have in turn been corroborated by others," stated a spokes- woman for RTÉ.
However, the Clare Champion has obtained two unsolicited letters from former pupils.
Fabio Lorregian, director of Micro Motor Engineering, was at CBC Pretoria from 1979 until 1984. As was Paul Gabriel Pereir, who acted as a dormitory prefect to Br Dillon’s Junior Dormitory in 1983.
Both former pupils of the school have expressed surprise at the allegations against Br Dillon and have defended his character.
Br Dillon’s niece, Mary Glenny said she was "totally devastated" when she heard the allegations in the programme without any prior warning, as RTÉ had never contacted any family member prior to the broadcast.
"When did RTÉ become the judge and jury over a man who has no way defending himself.
"There has never been any allegation against Br Dillon to any authority, the seven schools he served, the Christian Brothers or the civil authorities in South Africa," she said.
Their account coincides with calls from members of the extended Dillon family for Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte to include the claims made against Br Dillon as part of the existing Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) inquiry into the defamation of Fr Kevin Reynolds.
Br Gerard Dillon, who taught in Pretoria, was accused of sexual abuse by former pupil Tyrone Selmon in the RTÉ programme broadcast last May.
Mr Selmon claimed the abuse occurred in the 1980s when he was a child and has repeatedly defended his version of events.
RTÉ insists that a number of other former pupils of Br Dillon, now living in other countries, have, independently of each other and voluntarily, made allegations of abuse against Br Dillon. "The accounts given by these now-adult ex-pupils have in turn been corroborated by others," stated a spokes- woman for RTÉ.
However, the Clare Champion has obtained two unsolicited letters from former pupils.
Fabio Lorregian, director of Micro Motor Engineering, was at CBC Pretoria from 1979 until 1984. As was Paul Gabriel Pereir, who acted as a dormitory prefect to Br Dillon’s Junior Dormitory in 1983.
Both former pupils of the school have expressed surprise at the allegations against Br Dillon and have defended his character.
Br Dillon’s niece, Mary Glenny said she was "totally devastated" when she heard the allegations in the programme without any prior warning, as RTÉ had never contacted any family member prior to the broadcast.
"When did RTÉ become the judge and jury over a man who has no way defending himself.
"There has never been any allegation against Br Dillon to any authority, the seven schools he served, the Christian Brothers or the civil authorities in South Africa," she said.