Helpline for child abuse victims

VICTIMS of child abuse here have flooded a British-based helpline to such an extent that the founder is now going to set up an office in Dublin.

Colm O’Gorman, who came to public attention in April because of his frank admissions in a BBC documentary of being abused by paedophile priest Fr Seán Fortune, runs a support group in Britain called One In Four. Since the abuse in the diocese of Ferns in Co Wexford came under media spotlight culminating in the resignation of the Bishop of Ferns Dr Brendan Comiskey, this counselling service has been inundated with appeals for help.

Mr O’Gorman, who suffered years of abuse at the hands of Fr Fortune from the age of 14, is going to return to Ireland to set up an office for the service in Dublin to make it easier for victims here to make contact and get help.