UTV News - Priest rape victim defends Brady

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Priest rape victim defends Brady

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A woman who claims she was raped by a priest when she was 17 has said the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland should not step down from his position, branding Cardinal Brady the "best of a bad bunch".
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On Thursday, UTV revealed Cardinal Brady was closely involved in the recent settlement of a sex abuse case in Northern Ireland, where £45,000 was paid out to a victim in exchange for her silence.

In an interview with U105's Frank Mitchell, the alleged victim said the Irish Primate should have been more honest about the role he played in a number of cases.

"If he's hidden what happened in 1975 and if he's hidden what's happened now, what else has actually been hidden?

"I don't see any advantage for him to resign. He has proven to me over the last few months that he has taken some actions and perhaps he is the best person to move things forward.

"Who would replace him? He is the best of a bad bunch," she told Frank Mitchell.

UTV obtained the draft document settling the claim, naming the victim, the alleged perpetrator and Cardinal Brady.

The terms of the contract show she was to be paid £45,000 by Fr Joseph Quinn of the Archdiocese of Armagh to cover for damages and legal costs.

But there would be no acceptance of liability on the part of either defendant, and the victim would not be allowed to speak out about her allegations, particularly to the media.

Cardinal Sean Brady said he was not a signatory in the final settlement.

His spokesman said the Archbishop did not sign any confidentially agreement and said he would have no part in any such agreement with Father Quinn's solicitors.

He said Dr Brady's name was on the document because it cites all involved in the case.

The victim told Frank Mitchell it was "never about the money" and "there had been no justice".

She said she did not feel Fr Quinn, had been punished.

"Absolutely not. I mean, he still wears his collar.

"They tell me he's been suspended from ministry - but I mean, he's still very much a public figure. I've seen him on the TV in recent times, seen him in the newspapers when I open them and still very much is a priest.

"He may not be distributing communion, but he has assisted at funerals and at Mass."

The alleged victim explained that she had first met Fr Quinn when he was a young priest who was new to the area.

She said he took advantage of her vulnerability and raped her in 1997.

Police launched an investigation into her claims in 2001 but the Public Prosecution Service concluded that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Fr Quinn was tried on other allegations and was acquitted in 2003.

The Church insists he remains suspended from ministry as a priest.

Explaining why she thought her claims had not originally been believed and why no one had been prepared to report the alleged abuse to police, the woman said: "For the simple reason of who you were dealing with - you were dealing with not just one very powerful person, but a very powerful organisation.

"These people, the priests themselves were very well thought of by everyone in the parish.

"There could be no sense ... Something like this happens in other places, it doesn't happen here.

"He got full support from people, just because of who it was - that was why people didn't believe me."

She added: "Certainly in recent months, Cardinal Brady has had a lot of contact with Daddy and has done quite a bit as regards moving things on - but ultimately, he was first told this in 2002, so it was some eight years later before he's done anything about it."

On Wednesday, Cardinal Sean Brady said he will be taking the rest of lent to consider his position as leader of the Catholic Church.

© UTV News

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At 15:50 on 21 March 2010, lorna wrote:
Deahlan be my guest.You can get angry with me and try to put me down. I'm not anti catholic as you are not anti protestant
At 15:46 on 21 March 2010, lorna wrote:
Deaglan. All I can say is pick on me..We have men believing God has called them many are young and take on this celibacy for life some can do , but for those who can't but still believe God has called them what are they to do..You must have only been born not to have known there are many Priests that has had affairs.. So you believe it is natural for a man to live in complete celibacy but why make them do so when there is no need .
At 03:05 on 21 March 2010, deaglan wrote:
Heres Lorna with her anti-Catholic propaganda yet again, surprise surprise!!! Using the realm of child abuse to spread hatred of a religion is the lowest point of many lows youve stooped to on here. UTV ought to be ashamed, it appears criticism and downright bigotted comments mean more than truth, and the truth is Lorna, most priests are good men, and do remain celebate, it says little for your morals if you call celebacy an unnatural existence!
At 08:37 on 20 March 2010, a wrote:
disgusting dirty men. there a joke
At 23:58 on 19 March 2010, theresa wrote:
It is going to take years if ever for the cathloic church to get over all this trouble . should cardnial brady go in my mind yes ,he has came up though the ranks in the cathloic church knowing these things have happened and has done nothing about it till all this has came out in the open . how can he give holy comunion and confirm children knowing what has happened to these children . my child was confirmed by him but if i had off known that he knew of these terible things then i would never of had my child confirmed by him . the cathloic church put them selves above god when they let there ministers get away with this . the truth will always come out . i fell sorry for all the very good priests of which there are many for they will be tared with the same brush because the no one will know who to beleive anymore . all i can say to anyone who is questioning their faith is that your faith is what is inside you . you know what is wright and wrong . what has happened now and in the past in the cathloic church (child abuse) is wrong . and it needs a good cleaning out before peoples trust will be regained
At 22:43 on 19 March 2010, gary wrote:
the catholic people have been let down and i fear a lot of people will be put of from the church.a full inquiry should be held and the police brought in. the truth should be told after all they are praying to god ,but are they telling there sins to the lord.
At 22:10 on 19 March 2010, The Realist wrote:
There is no god all churches and cult buildings should be burnt to the ground.Religion is the cancer that ravages the world as we know it look at Palestine,Look at Iraq,Look at Afghanistan,Somalia,Nigeria on and on.
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