Sinn Féin Politician Speaks About Abuse By Paedophile Priest

A senior Sinn Féin politician has demanded a full investigation after he revealed a paedophile priest physically abused him and tried to sexually abuse him.

Conor Murphy said Fr Malachy Finegan, who died in 2002, dragged him into an office at St Colman's College in Newry and beat him with a stick.

Speaking to the Press Association, he said: "There was a bit of ruckus going on in the class we were in and Finnegan burst into the room.

"He singled me out, he dragged me out by the hair, by the crown of your head, dragged me along the corridor, up two flights of stairs into his room and then he beat me with a stick on the hands and about the body.

"He was always prone to more violence than was perhaps to do with discipline.

"And then he suddenly flipped, as I was almost expecting, he sat me down and started asking me personal questions - did I smoke, did I drink? Bear in mind I was 14. Did I go out with girls? Did I masturbate? Did I love him? This type of conversation.

"I can't remember my responses but I wasn't shocked by the conversation, because I had been forewarned by other pupils that this was what was likely to happen."

Fr Finegan was never prosecuted for sexual abuse, however allegations against him were reviewed by the National Board for Safeguarding Children.

In a further statement, the board of governors at St Colman's College said: "The board unreservedly condemns all abuse and advises that anyone who is a victim to contact the PSNI.

"The school is co-operating fully with a PSNI investigation regarding historic abuse.

"This is the most suitable mechanism to address these issues. Until such investigations are complete the board will not be making further public statements."

(CD/LM)