Victim of Priest Felt No Clergy Listened

By Dan Box
The Australian
August 6, 2012

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/victim-of-priest-felt-no-clergy-listened/story-e6frg6nf-1226443408972

AS an eight-year-old, "Kirsty" became the first known victim of pedophile priest Denis McAlinden, whose alleged abuse was reported to the Catholic Church. Today, she regrets no one passed that information on to the police.

Like other pupils at St Joseph's Primary School in Merriwa, in country NSW, Kirsty -- who asked that her real name not be used -- was often sent to church for confession, either on her own or with friends.

"I just have a vivid memory of being sat on Father McAlinden's lap in the church. I was fully clothed but he would pat me on the crotch," she said. "Being so young, I knew that it was not right. I remember feeling very uncomfortable and didn't want to be there."

The alleged abuse went on for months. Some of Kirsty's childhood friends told her they had suffered worse treatment at the priest's hands.