Priest facing 16 sex abuse charges

Irish Times
August 9, 1995

Brendan Smyth was sent for trial in Belfast yesterday on 16 charges of child sex abuse.

Smyth (68) did not speak during the brief committal hearing at Belfast Magistrates Court.

A member of the Norbertines, based at Kilnacrott, Co Cavan, Smyth was brought to court from Magilligan Prison, Co Derry, where he is serving a four year sentence imposed last year for other paedophile crimes.

The 16 charges of indecent assault involved five girls and three boys over a 15 year period ending in 1989.

The charges alleged that most of the offences took place in two children's homes run by the Catholic Church - Nazareth Lodge, Belfast, and De La Salle, Kircubbin, Co Down.

Smyth was remanded in custody to stand trial at the next sitting of Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

His solicitor, Mr Den is Maloney, said the charges related to "old" offences which had not come to light at the original trial.

He said it had been intended that immediately following yesterday's hearing Smyth would be questioned by the RUC about yet more alleged offences.

But due to administrative difficulties that could not take place, said Mr Maloney. He hoped the delay in dealing with the new matters would not postpone the trial, expected in late September.

Outside the court, Mr Maloney referred to the possibility of a third trial in the Republic following a detailed investigation by the Garda.

Mr Maloney said: "My client hopes that after a second trial in Northern Ireland justice and truth will have been adequately achieved and that nothing would be gained by a third hearing."

He added that the case had "attracted public stoning at its very worst of a defendant who had always acknowledged culpability about any bona fide complaint against him.

"That saved the innocent victims of his acknowledged wrongdoing the further trauma of a public hearing," said Mr Maloney.

"Now that the prosecution is coming to a conclusion one would hope that the innocent victims of this whole tragedy would be in a position to heal, having seen justice done now on a second occasion."