Man at centre of siege aimed to ‘bring attention’ to sex abuse

A MAN who threatened to blow himself up in the centre of Roscrea said he was sexually abused while training as a Christian Brother.

A solicitor for Jim Hourigan, a separated father of three, issued a statement shortly before 5pm. Joe Burke, of Dublin-based McCartan and Burke Solicitors, said his client resorted to the drastic action to bring attention to the alleged sex abuse.

“Our client was the subject of serious sexual assaults while training as a Christian Brother. One of the perpetrators of these assaults has been convicted and imprisoned; our client has instigated civil proceedings seeking compensation,” he said.