Retired Sydney Priest Charged over Abuse Scandal

By Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop
ABC Sydney
May 1, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-01/retired-sydney-priest-arrested-over-abuse-scandal/3982710/?site=sydney

A retired Catholic priest at the centre of a child abuse scandal has been charged after turning himself in to police in Sydney's north-west.

Father Finian Egan was helped out of his car by detectives as he arrived at Ryde Police Station with a lawyer at about 11:00am (AEST).

Two of his alleged victims hugged as the 77-year-old hobbled with a walking stick into the station.

Egan was then charged with 17 offences relating to alleged assaults on four children in Sydney and on the state's Central Coast between 1972 and 1987.

Today's arrest comes two years after police received complaints from at least five alleged victims.

Egan has already been investigated by the Catholic Church.

It sent him home to resume duties in Ireland at the time and told no-one that he had been banned from ministry.

The church has continued its association with the priest, while Egan has consistently denied all allegations.

One of Egan's alleged victims who was outside the police station this morning, Nikki Wells, says she was 11 years old at the time of the alleged assaults.

She says the arrest has been a long time coming.

"It's been 33 years in the making. It's been the majority of my life (that) I've been waiting for this day," Ms Wells said.

"I didn't think it would ever come but it's come. I'm not sure if I'm happy, because there's a long road ahead. We've got the trial yet. But wow, it's a huge day."

Egan is a friend of New South Wales Attorney-General Greg Smith.

He has been released on bail to face court later this month.

Detectives say their inquiries are continuing.