Ferns diocese settles with alleged abuse victim

SERIOUS questions remain unanswered now the Catholic Church has settled a legal action with an alleged victim of clerical sexual abuse in a Wexford diocese plagued by allegations, a victims’ group says.

The Diocese of Ferns has agreed an undisclosed settlement with 27-year-old Fiona Gahan, a victim of alleged clerical sexual abuse in the parish of Monageer in 1988. It brings to at least six the number of settlements agreed in the region.

Ms Gahan was 12 when abused on the altar of her local church by the late Fr Jim Grennan. It is alleged Fr Grennan ordered Ms Gahan and 10 other schoolgirls to close their eyes during a pre-Confirmation ceremony and fondle his genitals.