Ex-pupils defend priest accused in RTÉ report

TWO former pupils have provided testimonials challenging sexual abuse allegations made against a deceased Clarecastle Christian Brother missionary in a controversial RTÉ documentary.

Former students of CBC Pretoria have provided a glowing account of the role played by Br Gerard Dillon in the school from 1979 to 1984, in sharp contrast to the account of abuse given by Tyrone Selmon, on the Mission To Prey programme, focusing on Irish missionaries in South Africa.

Their account coincides with calls from members of the extended Dillon family for Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte to include the claims made against Br Dillon as part of the existing Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) inquiry into the defamation of Fr Kevin Reynolds.