BishopAccountability.org
	Convicted Paedophile Living under ‘Tight Controls’ in City Order By John Cleary Kilkenny Advertiser March 18, 2010 http://www.advertiser.ie/kilkenny/article/23822 A convicted paedophile priest living in Kilkenny remains under the ‘close supervision’ and ‘tight controls’ of his order, the public has been assured. This comes despite concerns after a member of the public contacted local radio station KCLR with fears that convicted paedophile Fr Vincent Mercer regualrly walked freely around the Castle Park. It was revealed this week that Fr Mercer, a Dominican priest convicted of indecently assaulting a number of young boys, is being housed in the Black Abbey priory in Kilkenny. Fr Mercer, a former headmaster at Newbridge College, county Kildare, was twice convicted of indecent assault on a number of young boys during his time at the school. The Dominican Order of Ireland yesterday moved to reaffirm the fact that Fr Mercer was living under very strict supervision in the prior. When contacted, local Prior Louis Hughes directed the Advertiser to the Order’s press officer, Fr Bernard Treacy. “All members of the Dominican Order are subject to the laws of the State, and the Dominican Order works with the relevant authorities to ensure that any measures that are necessary for the protection of children are implemented fully,” a statement from Fr Treacy said. “In line with these measures, any member who is convicted of child abuse is removed permanently from all forms of ministry, whether in public or in private, and must live under close supervision within a house of the Order, and as such is under tight controls as to his movements and whereabouts. “These measures are in addition to and not in substitution for any sanctions or directions imposed by a court or the civic authorities.” A judge had previously described Fr Mercer’s offences as amounting to a ‘reign of terror’, which took place at the college on dates between 1970 and 1977 and involved boys aged 10 to 13 years. Local Labour councillor Sean O’hArgain called on the relevant authorities to ensure public safety amidst the concerns. “I hope that between the order and the gardai they can ensure public safety,” Cllr O’hArgain told the Advertiser. “Obviously there is a legal process involved in all of these situations, but as a parent and a teacher it is very important that everything is done to ensure that the safety of our children is protected and any undertakings are very closely followed.” In March 2003 Fr Mercer was sentenced to six months imprisonment after pleading guilty at Naas District Court to four counts of indecent assault on a 13-year-old boy at the college in 1977. And in March 2005 the priest received a three-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to 13 sample charges of indecent assault on eight boys. The court heard that Fr Mercer had ‘prowled’ the college’s first-year dormitory looking for victims. However, the judge was satisfied the priest was at low risk of re-offending and had undergone a prolonged regime of rehabilitation.
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