AUSTRALIA
Maitland Mercury
Victims of paedophile priests Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher have come forward to report historic abuse as recently as the last two months.
On the final day of public hearings, Zimmerman Services healing and support co-ordinator Maureen O’Hearn said she knew of 28 victims of McAlinden and more had come forward during the eight-week special commission of inquiry.
Ms O’Hearn said the earliest report of abuse by McAlinden was in 1949 and the latest 1986.
She said victims had come forward from as far away as New Zealand and interstate.
Ms O’Hearn, who facilitates counselling referrals of victims and assists them going to police, has worked closely with Strike Force Georgiana – a Hunter sexual abuse task force that had resulted in 11 people being charged with 440 offences involving 110 victims .
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