Police Probe into Moray Monastery Child Abuse Ends with No Charges

By Jon Hebditch
Press and Journal
January 20, 2016

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/809709/police-probe-into-plucarden-ends-with-no-charges-brought/

Pluscarden

A police probe into claims of historic child abuse at a Moray monastery has ended with no one being charged.

The investigation focused on allegations a young boy was violently sexually abused and two others suffered physical harm at 13th century Pluscarden Abbey in the 1960s and 1980s.

Officers began making inquiries at the Roman Catholic abbey – the only working medieval monastery in the UK – after being contacted by a man who claimed to have suffered abuse.

Both he and a second man who also made allegations of abuse at the Benedictine monastery have discussed their claims with support group White Flowers Alba.

Andi Lavery, who says he was abused at Fort Augustus Abbey in the Highlands, founded the group with Chris Daley, who claims he was abused at Nazareth House in Aberdeen.

Last night, a furious Mr Lavery vowed to continue his fight for answers and said the group was now considering legal action against the police.

He added that serving Catholic priest Father Gerry Magee of St Winin’s Church at Kilwinning in Ayrshire was now supporting the group.

Mr Lavery said: “I can’t believe that I am only hearing about this because a journalist has called rather than the police telling any of the victims.

“This isn’t over. We will not give up trying to get justice for these men.”

Last night Father MaGee confirmed his involvement with the group but declined to comment further on the issue.

One of the complainers said: “This will not go away, this has to be addressed.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The investigation regarding the report of non-recent sexual abuse at Pluscarden Abbey in Moray has concluded.

“The case has been closed pending any further information.

“Child abuse is a complex, challenging area of policing and we owe it to all those affected, whether now or in the past, to thoroughly investigate each and every report we receive.

“If anyone is or has been the victim of child abuse then we encourage them to come forward in the knowledge that we will listen and we will investigate.”

A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church said: “We are happy that this matter has concluded with no charges brought.

“The church has fully co-operated with the investigation since its inception.

“We are delighted this matter is now at an end.”