BishopAccountability.org

Grant Denies Reference to 'Catholic Mafia'

By Jason Gordon
The Age
May 8, 2013

http://www.theage.com.au/nsw/grant-denies-reference-to-catholic-mafia-20130508-2j83v.html

At the inquiry: Troy Grant speaks to the media.

Peter Fox with his wife, Penny.

A former police officer and current state MP, Troy Grant, told a special commission of inquiry into the handling of child sex abuse claims that he never used the term ''Catholic mafia'' and had never encountered any interference from police during his investigations into paedophilia by priests.

Mr Grant described Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox as ''a meticulous investigator'' but he denied ever saying to him that a ''Catholic mafia'' existed within the ranks of police in Newcastle, where the inquiry is being held.

On Monday, Mr Fox had told the inquiry that Mr Grant had warned him about a ''Catholic mafia''. The claim was made in the context that police investigations into the alleged cover-up of child sex abuse by Catholic priests had been shelved or hampered.

As a police officer, Mr Grant investigated and charged paedophile priest Vince Ryan in 1995. Mr Ryan was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in jail for offences relating to 31 victims.

''I'm sure I would remember using the term,'' he told the commission on Wednesday. ''It's a great phrase, a cracker of a phrase that I might use in my role as a politician.''

Outside court, Mr Grant said: ''I can't explain why [Peter Fox] would attribute those comments to me … but I know he has a lot on.''

When cross-examined, he rejected claims from counsel for Mr Fox that he was denying using the term ''Catholic mafia'' because it might cause him embarrassment among his constituents or in the State Parliament.

Mr Grant told the commission he respected Mr Fox and his meticulous manner. ''His level of victim care is second to none.''

Mr Grant said during his investigations into Mr Ryan, he had been hindered by members of the Catholic clergy, but he had never encountered interference from within the police service.

Outside court, Mr Grant repeated the disappointment he expressed in 1996 when he was highly critical of the the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for deciding not to charge Monsignor Patrick Cotter with concealing the crimes of Mr Ryan. Monsignor Cotter died in 2007.

Mr Grant said he would tell the royal commission on child sex abuse, ''or anyone else who wants to listen'', about the obstructions he received from individuals within the Catholic Church.

Mr Grant was a strong lobbyist for a royal commission on the church's handling of child sex abuse claims, and has publicly called for the resignation of Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell over his handling of the matter.

The inquiry continues.




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