Detectives Lay Another 64 Charges against Alleged Abuser

By Catherine Clifford
ABC News
May 18, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-18/detectives-lay-another-64-charges-against-alleged-abuser/4698264?§ion=news

A 59-year-old former Catholic priest has been charged with 64 additional offences relating to alleged historical child sexual abuse.

The charges were laid by officers from Strike Force Glenroe, which comprises detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad, New England Local Area Command and Barwon Local Area Command.

In October 2012, 25 charges were laid against the ex-priest connected to the alleged sexual abuse of three girls in the 1970s and 80s.

Detectives continued their investigations and, in January, laid a further 35 charges against the ex-priest in connection with the alleged sexual assaults of six alter boys in the Catholic dioceses of Moree and Armidale.

The accused is also facing one charge of allegedly failing to properly store a firearm.

During a court mention on May 7, Magistrate Karen Stafford of Armidale Local Court, was told another 64 offences were added relating to alleged sexual assaults by the ex-priest against one boy and two girls, aged nine to 19, between 1982 and 1985.

The assaults are alleged to have taken place at locations in and around Moree, Narrabri, Inverell and Armidale.

Magistrate Stafford adjourned the matter to Armidale Local Court on July 17.

She also imposed a strict suppression order preventing publication of the ex-priest's name, or publication of any information which could potentially identify the 59-year-old or his place of residence.

Bail has been continued.