Ex-priest jailed for attacks on sister and brother

A former priest who attempted to rape a young girl and sexually assaulted her brother in west Cork more than 30 years ago has been given an eight-year sentence.

John Calnan, aged 73, of The Presbytery, 35 Paul Street, Cork, pleaded guilty to the attempted rape of the girl between Jan 1, 1980 and Apr 30, 1980, in West Cork. She was seven at the time.

He also admitted three counts of sexually assaulting the girl between Oct 25, 1976 and Oct 24, 1979.

He further admitted one count of sexual assault on the girl’s brother between Aug 10, 1975, and Oct 9, 1979. The boy was aged between nine and 12 at the time.

The girl told her mother, who, in turn, went to a member of the clergy about it. Shortly after, Calnan was moved to another parish.

Prosecuting counsel Alice Fawsitt SC told Mr Justice Paul Carney Calnan “admitted to paedophile tendencies” towards the girl and that there was “a grooming process”.

The incident was first reported to gardaí in West Cork in May 2010.

Mr Justice Carney imposed concurrent sentences totalling eight years and suspended the final three years taking into account mitigating factors such as Calnan’s guilty plea, lack of convictions, and the state of his health.

He also ordered 18 months post-release supervision and that Calnan stay away from his victims in perpetuity.

The Central Criminal Court heard that the girl’s parents were heavily involved in the Church at the time and she would run errands, including delivering envelopes to the priest’s house. She and her siblings also used to play in the priest’s yard.

Det Gda Maurice Shanley said Calnan would visit the girl’s family home and “would regularly have one of the kids on his knee”.

He said that initially the priest would touch the girl outside her underwear and it progressed to him asking her to take down her underwear and he would expose himself.

He said that, on one occasion, the girl was told to take her clothes off and Calnan attempted to have sex with her. “He stated he groomed her. He brought her to his house,” said Det Gda Shanley.

The court heard that the girl’s brother also made an allegation against Calnan. Det Gda Shanley said that Calnan started to tickle the boy and then put his hand down his trousers.

“He started laughing and giggling. It lasted about 10 seconds. He stopped and he [the boy] left,” said the garda.