THE father of a woman who alleges she was sexually abused as a teenager by Father B in the diocese of Cloyne has said he is aware of at least 10 more victims of the same priest.The woman, who was 14 when the abuse began, claims she was raped over a three-year period by the priest.
Her father, who said his family had been through “horror”, is now urging others who have been abused to come forward.
He said, he was aware of at least 10 more incidents of abuse in his area.
“I know of five for certain and suspect three,” he said. “And of one of the five I know of, they know of another five,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fr William Bermingham, the Cloyne diocesan delegate with the responsibility for child protection confirmed he had received an anonymous call from someone alleging a past abuse.
He said the caller had been very nervous, but he encouraged the person to come forward.
“It is always best that we know about and follow up these claims,” he said.
The father of the woman alleging abuse said he was not at all surprised at the fresh accusation.
He said that of what he knew, the abuses had all been perpetrated by Father B, named as such in the National Board for Safeguarding Children’s report, and who worked at his daughter’s school.
Despite the calls for Bishop Dr John Magee, accused of grossly mishandling the investigation of the abuses in his diocese, to step down, he is expected to carry out his Christmas duties in Cobh as planned.
The Newry-born bishop, who was private secretary to three popes was remaining silent yesterday.
The Cloyne director of communications, Fr Jim Killeen, could not be contacted for comment on the bishop’s position following Minister for Children Barry Andrew’s comments calling for him to reflect on the findings of the report.
The spokesman for Cardinal Seán Brady was also unreachable.
An answering machine message from the director of the Catholic Communications Office stated it is closed until January 7.
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(Source: IE)