Fr. Brendan Smyth

Order: OPraem
Ordained: 1951
Status: Convicted

Died: 08/22/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Providence RI

From Ireland. Full name John Gerard Brendan Smyth. Worked in RI, ND and MA in the US. Likely abused over 50 boys and girls, in Ireland and the US. Sentenced to 4 years jail in Ireland in 1995 on 17 counts of assaulting 5 girls and 4 boys 1964-88. Sentenced 7/97 to 12 years for abusing 20 boys and girls. Died in prison in 8/97. Two sued order 6/10. Settlements 1998-99 to 3 Dublin relatives who sued Kilmore bishop after finding the diocese knew Smyth abused children prior to his abusing them. Denied by a court of appeals 11/15; appealed 2/16. Suit 6/08 in Providence RI re 1968 abuse of a boy and girl. RI court denied damages. In 9/16 one of the 2, a RI lawyer, filed a complaint with the RI State Ethics Commission against Supreme Court judge Francis X. Flaherty, who oversaw the ruling denying them damages; Flaherty had not disclosed his leadership role with a Catholic nonprofit. The Commission ruled “probable cause” in 4/17. On Providence diocese’s list 7/1/19. On Fargo’s list 1/2/20.


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