Royal Commission Findings into Suicide Death Withheld Causing Anguish for 94-year-old Mother

By Giselle Wakatama
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Newcastle
May 27, 2020

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-28/royal-commission-findings-into-andrew-nash-death-withheld/12273246

Audrey Nash, aged 94, says she wants to read the royal commission findings before she dies.

The mother of a Newcastle abuse victim, whose suicide death was a focus of a 2016 royal commission probe, fears she will die before the findings are made public.

Andrew Nash died in 1974 when he was just 13.

The Marist Brothers and the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese have accepted that he died by suicide after being sexually abused by Francis William Cable, known as Brother Romuald.

The 88-year-old is serving a lengthy jail term for abusing 24 boys and is eligible for parole when he his 94, the same age as Audrey Nash — the mother of Andrew.

Andrew Nash, a Marist Brothers student, died in his bedroom in 1974.(Supplied: Audrey Nash)

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse findings into the local Catholic diocese were compiled in 2017 but they have been suppressed due to fears they could be prejudicial to any criminal or civil proceedings.

One of those cases concluded 18 months ago, and Andrew's mother Audrey said she was not aware of any other outstanding proceedings.

"I am 94 and I would love to read it before I die," she said.

"My 13-year-old son took his own life because of the abuse."

Catholic Church admits it failed Andrew and family

Ms Nash said she had emailed Attorney-General Christian Porter and asked for his intervention.

"I said in the email how badly I wanted to read it, and if I can't would he please let me know why," she said.

Former priest Francis William Cable, also known as Brother Romuald, leaving Newcastle Local Court in 2013.(ABC News: Lauren Kendall)

Catholic Bishop Bill Wright of Maitland-Newcastle said the church failed Andrew Nash and his family.

"The Marist Brothers and this diocese have accepted that Andrew committed suicide after being sexually abused by Brother Romuald," the Bishop said.

Bishop Wright has now backed the Nash family's calls for the report to be released.

Bill Wright, the Bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese.(ABC News: Dan Cox)

"The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle fully supports Mrs Nash's request to have the report into the royal commission's Case Study 43 published," the Bishop said.

"The Diocese has requested that the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Office publish the report.

"The Diocese renews its request for the report into Case Study 43 to be published at the earliest opportunity."

At the final hearing of the commission in December 2017, chair Justice Peter McClellan said there were valid reasons why findings had to be suppressed in part or in full.

Mr McClellan said the action was needed to allow for criminal proceedings to be concluded, while conceding it could upset some families.

"Although I know this will disappoint some people, it is important that nothing should occur that might compromise any criminal proceedings," he said.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the royal commission report will be released when its appropriate to do so.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Attorney-General Christian Porter has told the ABC that unless there is a good reason not to do so, the full versions of any case studies or reports from the royal commission into child sexual abuse should be published as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

"The Government will continue to seek the advice from state authorities once the legal proceedings have concluded in order to make these reports available to the public," the Attorney-General said.

He said reports can only be released after seeking advice from the relevant jurisdictional representatives.

Audrey Nash and her supporters said they were not aware of any outstanding matters.