IRELAND
Irish Times

Patsy McGarry

A seminarian currently attending St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, has dismissed recent reports of “strange goings on”, saying they are in complete contrast to his own experiences.

The man contacted The Irish Times to say he has been “blown away” by some of the things said. He had nothing but praise for the formation staff there, “who have done everything to foster my vocation”.

He had “never felt any culture of fear, never felt any at all. And as for this talk of keeping your head down, I’ve been totally open”.

In terms of staff behaviour, he said he had never “experienced anything inappropriate at all,or even a suggestion of anything inappropriate”.