Brave Victim of Evil Paedo Priest Tony ‘fr Filth’ Walsh Demands Apology from Pope Francis Ahead of Pontiff’s Irish Visit
By Stephen Breen
In an exclusive interview with the Irish Sun on Sunday, the courageous dad waived his right to anonymity to urge the Pontiff — whose visit to Ireland will cost the State ˆ5m — to meet with the victims of clerical abuse. And Darren, who was raped by Ireland’s worst paedophile priest over a four-year period — told how he has urged the Catholic Church in Ireland to facilitate a meeting between Pope Francis and other victims. He said: “I’ve told the Catholic Church that this could be a great opportunity for the head of the institution to apologise for the horrific offences committed against children in Ireland by Walsh and other paedophile priests. “Walsh preyed on me in Phoenix Park so it would be fitting for Pope Francis to make the apology at a site where such evil took place. All he has to do is listen to the experiences of survivors and this can be done in private.
“I don’t think it would be as heartfelt if it was done in public. I don’t need a personal apology, I just think he should be obliged to say sorry on behalf of the institution. “I don’t want to see the Pope publicly shamed for the evil actions of those who were employed by the Church but he represents the Church and he should apologise. “I think some kind of apology would go a long way to attracting people back into the Church and show that they care about the thousands of individuals around the world who have been left traumatised by the actions of evil people who were in the pay of the Church. “Not everyone has moved on from the actions of people like Walsh and an apology would go a long way to helping those who have been raped and abused.”
Although Darren is still receiving counselling for his trauma, he has also undertaken a number of counselling courses as part of his plan to help other victims of abuse. He added: “I’m still undergoing therapy but I have already started the process to become a counsellor and I hope that some day I can turn my negative experience into something positive. “The Church has paid for people to undergo counselling but they very rarely check up on people. This is not just about care, this should be about compassion and humanity. “I’ve had great support from family, friends and people like Professor Ivor Browne but the pain is always there. People are still struggling and it’s essential for the Church never to forget them. “Walsh will never win. Good will always triumph over evil, no matter how long it takes.”
Evil Elvis impersonator Walsh, 63 — formerly of Coolock, Dublin — was jailed for 16 years in January 2011 for raping Darren and two other lads. He received an extra 15-month sentence after another boy came forward to say he was attacked by the sicko between 1979 and 1983. Walsh was known as the ‘Singing Priest’ for his role in a travelling all-padre vocal group before he was defrocked. Darren’s terrifying ordeal included being raped by the pervert three times every week between Christmas 1979 and May 1983. Darren also told how Walsh bound his wrists and ankles with a rope belt before abusing him at a parochial house in Ballyfermot, west Dublin. The survivor has also urged other victims of clerical abuse to come forward. He added: “When he raped me for the first time in the parochial house, I will never forget the awful stench of whiskey on his breath. He closed the window and blasted out Elvis songs to drown out my screams. I remember hearing some footsteps outside and I was praying to whoever was there to save me.”
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