Church sex abuse victim cries after winning case

A prominent sex abuse campaigner broke down in tears today after the Irish Catholic Church gave an unreserved apology for his rape during the 1980s.

Colm O’Gorman said his historic High Court victory against the Diocese of Ferns would have major implications for victims across the country.

In an emotional press briefing the director of abuse group One in Four said the apology represented “relief and release” after years of campaigning.

Mr O’Gorman – who was sexually abused by the late Father Sean Fortune between 1981 and 1983 – said the €300,000 compensation he received was not the key issue.

“That such an admission of negligence should have been heard before the High Court earlier this morning is for me a historic moment,” he told reporters in Dublin afterwards.

“I hope above all else it will mark an end to the adversarial and legalistic approach adopted by Bishops and Church leaders to people who have experienced rape and sexual abuse perpetrated by priests.”

As he spoke of the abuse he had suffered at the hands of Fr Fortune – who committed suicide four years ago – Mr O’Gorman had to stop several times and compose himself.

“I can say that I feel a sense of having achieved some real and significant level of justice,” he said.

“I cannot understate the significance of that feeling.

“From the very first moment I made my decision to report what I had experienced I wanted above all to have the burden of responsibility for that abuse to be taken from me.”

High profile campaigner Mr O’Gorman sued Co Wexford’s Diocese of Ferns for negligence in failing to prevent the abuse during his early teens.

A statement was read out in open court on behalf of Bishop Eamonn Walsh, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ferns, who admitted negligence on the part of the then Bishop.

The court heard that Bishop Walsh acknowledged and sincerely regretted the distress, trauma and hurt caused by the late Fr Fortune.

“He further acknowledges the failure of the Bishop at that time to recognise and act on the threat posed by the late Fr Fortune to Colm O’Gorman,” the statement said.

“Bishop Walsh wishes to apologise unreservedly to Colm O’Gorman for these failures and for the harm which he suffered in consequence.”

Colm O’Gorman was first abused by Fr Fortune 22 years ago and reported it eight years ago.

Since then he has campaigned tirelessly for justice for both himself and victims of all types of abuse across Ireland.

He today said he never imagined he would have received such an apology.

“The day has finally arrived when the boy I was, when I was first raped by a Catholic Priest, has been vindicated and acknowledged, when those directly responsible for that rape through their acts of negligence have finally acknowledged that gross failure,” he said.

“I give thanks for that acknowledgement, however difficult it has been to achieve.

“I accept Bishop Walsh’s statement in good faith. I value it and value the uncompromising way in which it has finally been made.

“But I also acknowledge that it is the least that any person harmed in such a way has an absolute right to expect from those responsible.”

He broke down with emotion as he told of how his sister Barbara and his late father helped him through his ordeal.

“Barbara sat with me through the making of my statement,” he said. “She held me safe and secure at a time when I had to revisit that most vulnerable and devastating experience.”

Mr O’Gorman said when his father was dying he told Colm he only wanted to live long enough to see him through his battle.

“Today that personal battle ends,” he added.

“That battle has been such a demanding and emotionally draining experience that I find it hard to imagine what my life will be like now that it is over.”

He said he would now be free to focus on his work with One in Four, which he founded to help the quarter of Irish people the group says were abused as children.