4 Accused in This Religious Order
Fr. Eamonn Byrne
Born in Ireland. Spent most of career in the Philippines, beginning in 1957. In the U.S. for three years beginning in 1974 to develop Columban apostolate to the Filipino community. Accused in a 1992 lawsuit of abuse of a girl during a church outing in 1974. She claimed the abuse was reported to his superiors but no action was taken by them. Byrne retired to Ireland in 2007. Died 12/12/15.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Brian Gallagher
Native of Ireland. Missionary in Japan, briefly back to Ireland, then sent to the U.S., reportedly due to abuse allegations in Japan. Died in 2014. Accused in two lawsuits, one filed in 2017 and one in 8/18, of the sexual abuse of two brothers when they were children, 1973-76. Gallagher was assigned at the time of the alleged abuse to St. Mark's in Dorchester MA, where the boys' mother worked. Settlement of one lawsuit in 11/21 in the high five figures. The suit also named Rev. John K. Connell.
Fr. Thomas Glennon
Named publicly as accused by the diocese on its list 11/30/18. Noted to have been an extern priest. Reports in 2018 to the archdiocese of abuse 1980-81. Retired, left NE in 2018.
Fr. Seán John McGrath
From Ireland. Ordained for the Columban Fathers (s.s.c.). Worked in the Philippines after ordination until about 1974, then in London, England until about 1984. Beginning in 1986 he spent ten years in Belize, after which he was sent to the United States. He returned to Ireland in 2014 and died 4/27/18. McGrath was named publicly as accused on the Los Angeles archdiocese's updated list 12/6/18.