Former Priest “So drunk” he did not remember abusing two boys

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InsideIreland.ie

February 24, 2012

By Olivia Kerr

A court has heard that a former priest and a convicted paedophile was so drunk at one point that he did not remember abusing two young boys.

This is the fourth time that Daniel Curran, 61, of Bryansford Road, Newcastle, has been charged of child abuse.

He pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault against two young boys in 1986.

Down Crown Court heard that the incidents took place at Curran’s family holiday home near Tyrella, County Down.

Curran was serving time as a Priest in West Belfast during the time the incidents took place, and had gained the trust of the parents of the children for the two boys to stay overnight with him.

The Prosecution said that the children saw this trip away as an opportunity to get away from the Troubles.

Curran was given a seven-year-sentence for similar offences involving nine other children in 1995.

The judge questioned why Curran had not volunteered the names of his other victims when he was arrested for the first time.

Curran’s defence barrister claimed that the priest had been sent to England by the church to tackle with his alcoholism and attitudes to sexual matters.

They continued that at the time the incidents took place, Curran was completely drunk and out of control.

Part of the course encouraged him not to name any other of his victims to respect their privacy.

Curran is currently living with and caring for his 91-year-old-mother. A medical report suggested that any custodial sentence her son got would have an adverse effect on her health.

Curran will be sentenced next week.

2 Responses to Former Priest “So drunk” he did not remember abusing two boys

  1. Sylvia says:

    “Part of the course encouraged him not to name any other of his victims to respect their privacy.”

    This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this excuse, and probably won’t be the last.
    My question is: Is there truly a victim of clerical sexual abuse out there who would not welcome a call advising that Father X has admitted he sexually abused him/her?

  2. Michel Bertrand says:

    This

    “This is the fourth time that Daniel Curran, 61, of Bryansford Road, Newcastle, has been charged of child abuse.”

    Plus this

    “Curran’s defence barrister claimed that the priest had been sent to England by the church to tackle with his alcoholism and attitudes to sexual matters.”

    Should not equal

    Former Priest “So drunk” he did not remember abusing two boys

    Maybe this person should not drink and should not be in the priesthood. He must know by now that if and when he drinks he acts out on his pedophilia obsessions and it would not be a good idea to leave someone allergic to peanuts at the planter’s factory so from a human resource perspective maybe not good priest material.

    I think the men’s rea defence is just poor excuse making in this case if he has been convicted previously and he has been to treatment for his crimes. Fourth time… ..he should know by now that drink + him = victim of crime and now to say “well I was drunk did not know what I was doing ” get the heck out of the nut factory and stay away from youth groups in general. Not drinking probably a very good idea.

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