Former Geelong priest admits to shocking abuse

AUSTRALIA
Bay 93.9

Rebecca McDonald / 31 August 2016

A former Victorian priest who worked in Geelong during much of his career has pleaded guilty to a string of child sexual assault charges.

73-year-old Robert Claffey was due to stand trial in the County Court on 21 charges, but two were dropped as part of a plea deal.

Claffey abused boys and girls over three decades in areas including Apollo Bay and Skenes Creek, under the watch of disgraced former bishop Ronald Mulkearns.

Two of his victims were assaulted after Claffey went to their home to “comfort” them after their sister died in a car accident.

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