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Political Slur by Attorney-general Greg Smith on a Victim of Abuse

By Andrew Clennell and Clementine Cuneo
Daily Telegraph
May 1, 2012

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/political-slur-by-attorney-general-greg-smith-on-a-victim-of-abuse/story-e6freuzi-1226344141196

Slur ... Attorney-General Greg Smith / Pic: Alan Pryke Source: The Daily Telegraph

ATTORNEY-General Greg Smith told charity worker Father Chris Riley an alleged paedophile priest's child abuse victim was making allegations because she was "trying to get $1 million", Father Riley said yesterday.

Father Finian Egan, a close friend of Mr Smith who he mentioned in his maiden speech in 2007, saying "at St Gerard's Father Finian Egan charmed us with his Irish wit and his pastoral devotion to his flock", was charged yesterday with rape and other sexual assault offences relating to four minors dating back 40 years.

Youth worker Father Riley wrote in an email to one of Father Egan's alleged victims, Nikki Wells, on July 17 last year, that: "I was with Greg Smith the other day and I raised you (sic) case with him. He commented that 'you were just trying to get $1m from the church'."

Father Riley confirmed Mr Smith's comment yesterday and said: "He was quoting a church official and that's when I asked him if he'd like to hear her story."

Child abuse allegations ... Father Finian Egan arriving at Ryde Police station / Pic: Tracee Lea Source: The Daily Telegraph

Mr Smith did not deny making the comments but has said he cannot recall them.

He came under pressure in parliament yesterday, with the opposition quoting an "unnamed priest" as sending the email to the victim and asking Mr Smith if he made the comment or not.

Mr Smith refused to deny in parliament yesterday that the conversation took place, saying: "I understand he was charged today. The question relates to a possible complainant in these matters. It would ... be inappropriate to comment."

Father Riley said Ms Wells had asked for $1 million from the church - not for herself but for the group she heads, Kidsafe.

Ms Wells said she had sought $1 million for Kidsafe.

"I went to the church to ask if they could help establish a treatment facility for survivors of child abuse," she said.

She described Father Riley's email concerning Mr Smith's comments as "devastating" and was dismayed her lobbying had been leaked.

Father Egan, 77, was yesterday charged with 17 offences which allegedly occurred while he was a priest at parishes at the Central Coast in 1972 and 1973 and at Carlingford in 1979 and 1987.

 

 

 

 

 




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