Lawyers and rights groups call for clerical abuse inquiry

BELFAST (NORTHERN IRELAND)
Irish Legal News

March 2, 2018

Lawyers and human rights groups have called for a public inquiry into allegations of clerical child sex abuse in Northern Ireland.

Amnesty International said recent revelations of abuse by Father Malachy Finnegan, former president of St Colman’s College in Newry, strengthened the case for an inquiry.

It pointed out the Catholic Church had itself identified child abuse allegations against 100 priests in Northern Ireland since the 1970s.

Solicitor Claire McKeegan of Belfast-based KRW Law, who represents a number of Fr Finnegan’s victims, echoed the call.

She said: “We have received calls from numerous further victims and witnesses of Malachy Finnegan’s vile abuses since the significant settlement by our client known as ‘Patrick’ was made public recently.

“The message is clear: victims demand a public inquiry into clerical abuse in Northern Ireland without any further delay.

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