Br Anselm kept from students after abuse claim

A MONK at Glenstal Abbey boarding school in Limerick has been removed from contact with students following an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in England.

Michael Hurt, 77, whose order name is Brother Anselm, is a brother of film star John Hurt. He had run the school kitchen at Glenstal since his arrival from England in the mid-1990s.

Br Anselm received a caution at Yeovil police station in England on June 6 and was made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offenders Act 2003 for two years.

Abbot of Glenstal, Mark Patrick Hederman, told the Limerick Leader newspaper yesterday that the allegation dates back to the late 1960s.

At that time, Br Anselm was a monk and teacher at an English monastery.

The incident allegedly happened after Br Anselm supplied alcohol to students.

Abbot Hederman yesterday said they were informed on February 26, 2011, that an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Br Anselm was being investigated by British police.

Br Hederman stressed no complaints had been made against Br Anselm during his time at Glenstal.

“With the safety of the young people in our care of paramount concern, the monastery and school treated the matter with the greatest seriousness,” said Br Hederman said.

“In accordance with our child protection policy, the gardaí and HSE as well as the diocesan authorities and National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, were all informed. Br Anselm who did not have a teaching role in the school, was immediately removed from all involvement or contact with the school and its students.”

The abbot said Br Anselm’s file was re-examined after they learned of the allegation last February.

“The search revealed two documents from the British Department of Education and Science dating from the time of the allegation,” he said. “The documents show that the department was aware of and investigated the case at the time.

“On learning of the current UK investigation, the school authorities ascertained from present and former housemasters, pastoral care and nursing staff that students of the school have never raised any child protection concerns regarding Br Anselm.”

Br Anselm continues to live at Glenstal Abbey under restricted and supervised conditions.