Man to receive £170k in damages in priest sex abuse case

A 57-year-old man who says he was groomed and abused by the late Fr Malachy Finegan at St Colman’s College in Newry has reached a settlement in his High Court action against the Diocese of Dromore and the school’s Board of Governors. The resolution includes £170,000 in damages and a written apology from Archbishop Eamon Martin, head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, the claimant’s solicitor said. The plaintiff is anonymized in court proceedings.

CA attended St Colman’s from 1979 to 1985, a period when Finegan taught and worked at the school and is alleged to have molested him under the pretense of pastoral care. Finegan died in 2002, and it later emerged that the Diocese of Dromore had settled a previous claim against him in 2018. The Board of Governors at St Colman’s condemned the abuse that occurred under Finegan’s supervision and leadership of the college.

Lawyers announced in court on Monday that the action will be stayed on agreed terms, with the plaintiff to receive his legal costs. The settlement amount of £170,000 in damages is part of the negotiated resolution, which does not constitute an admission of liability by either defendant. A letter of apology from Archbishop Eamon Martin will be issued on behalf of the diocese as part of the terms.

In discussing the long shadow of the abuse, CA described the enduring impact of the experiences, noting high levels of anxiety, nightmares and post-traumatic stress, and saying the abuse had a profound effect on his personal life, nearly costing his marriage and family. He also criticized the way victims were treated, stating that others affected by Finegan had been left without adequate action at the time.

The four additional legal actions related to the wider campaign of abuse were adjourned to be heard later this week. The settlement’s terms include the payment of damages and the staying of the action, with both sides avoiding further proceedings at this stage. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of historical abuse within institutions and the steps being taken to address harm, accountability and apologies for survivors.

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The broader context in Northern Ireland over priest abuse cases continues to unfold, with past allegations prompting settlements, inquiries and renewed discussions about safeguarding practices in schools and parishes. While this settlement resolves the individual action, advocates say the legacy of abuse requires ongoing attention to support for survivors and to ensure robust safeguarding measures in institutions moving forward.

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