Former Cork priest jailed for historical child abuse in London
The period of offending was between 1975 and 1988, according to the London Metropolitan Police. File picture
The Diocese of Cork and Ross is urging anyone with concerns about a former Cork priest jailed in England this week for historical child abuse to come forward.
James Murphy, with an address at The Alders, Mallow was sentenced to 31 months in prison after pleading guilty in February at Inner London Crown Court to seven offences of indecent assault relating to four boys aged between five and 11 years old. The period of offending was between 1975 and 1988, according to the London Metropolitan Police.
He has been ordered to be subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for the rest of his life.
77-year-old Murphy, who served as a priest in Glounthaune and St Patrick’s parishes in the Cork and Ross diocese for eight years until Christmas 1999, had previous convictions for 11 counts of indecent assault, against five boys in the UK, in 1977. He pleaded guilty in June 2000 to those abuse charges, after receiving leave from the then Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, months earlier to clear his name of the allegations.
He was sentenced to 30 months in relation to that case and returned to Cork after serving his sentence.
In a statement to the Irish Examiner on behalf of the Cork and Ross diocese, Fr Tom Hayes said that the diocese has not received any report that he offended during his time in Cork.
But he said: “Anyone who may have a concern or a report to make is encouraged to contact the Gardaí or Tusla or the Diocesan Director of Safeguarding.” He also said that the diocese has not had any contact with him since he was sentenced to prison in 2000.
Fr Hayes outlined that Murphy after he pleaded guilty in 2000, “his right to minister as a priest was immediately withdrawn and he has not ministered anywhere since”.
The most recent investigation was sparked when one of the victims came forward in 2019 and reported Murphy’s abuse of him to police.
Investigating officers discovered there were other victims, with abuse having occurred in the church and in the wider community in Sydenham “where Murphy was a trusted figurehead", say police.
The investigation involved use of historic reports, victims' statements, and diary entries as well as psychologist's reports.
Police officers came to Ireland twice to interview the former cleric, with the assistance of gardaí, during the pandemic about the abuse of the four victims.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the victims “often recounted painful and difficult details” of their experience of Murphy.
According to a statement released by police, Murphy accepted guilt when presented with the evidence put together by officers during interviews.
However, the statement said: “He denied one of the accusations relating to one of the victims.
"Detectives understood how important it was for this victim’s story to be heard and worked to build further evidence and disprove Murphy’s lies.”
One of the victims told the court on Monday that he had disclosed the abuse when he was 10 years old but alleged that he had been made to meet the then priest to “forgive him” by Church authorities in London.
Another victim described Murphy as a “wolf in sheep’s costume”, who had betrayed him.
The head of the investigation into Murphy, PC Helen French, from Central Specialist Crime, praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward, saying their courage was unwavering throughout the investigation and conviction process.
She said: “Coming forward is not only a tribute to their strength, but serves as a sign to any other victims that they will be listened to and supported.
PC French said the dedication of officers on the case who helped secure justice for the victims was “extraordinary”.
She urged anyone who has been a victim of abuse to come forward to “get the help they so rightly deserve".
Following his admission in 2000 to previous allegations of abuse, Bishop Buckley sent a letter to the parish of Glounthaune, advising parishioners of the development.
He had returned to Cork in 1990, having served in parishes in south London.
