This article is from page 4 of the 2014-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
FR TOM McNamara, the priest identified as “Father A” in last week’s review of safeguarding practices in the Diocese of Killaloe, may have abused children in America before returning to the diocese in the late 1960s.
Reports of three separate allegations of abuse involving Fr McNamara have emerged.
These reports involve separate allegation made by adolescents in the Diocese of St Augustine in north Florida where the Clare priests was stationed on dates between 1966 and 1968.
The diocese, which is located near Jacksonville in north Florida, say it was not aware of any subsequent abuse carried out by Fr McNamara until after the priest’s death in 1997.
A report by the Diocese of St Augustine undertaken in 2004 identifies Fr McNamara as the priest accused of “inappropriately touching” three youths during his service as a visiting priest in diocese in the late 1960s.
At the time of the report, a spokes- person from Diocese of St Augustine, which represents 162,000 Catholics, said there was no indication that diocesan officials knowingly returned the priest to an unsuspecting Irish church.
Indeed, according to the report, officials in the diocese only became aware of the allegations in 2003 six years after the death of Fr McNamara.
According to reports, McNamara served as a visiting priest at Christ the King and St Patrick parishes in Jacksonville. It is not clear if the allegation were made by boys or girls – or if the alleged abuse took place on church grounds.
The Bishop of Killaloe, Kieran O’Reilly, last week says he regrets the actions taken by the diocese, which allowed Fr McNamara to remain in active ministry for more than three decades, despite allegations of sexual abuse being made against him.
At the time of the initial abuse, Fr McNamara was not removed from active ministry but was instead sent by the diocese for therapy.
Fr McNamara retired from active minister in 1993 and died in 1997, aged 77.
Patrick (Brud) SKEHAN
, Faheymore, Bridgetown. Peacefully in the Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home, Newport. Removal fromhis residence on Tuesday for 11.30amRequiemMass in Bridgetown church. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Bridget (Pydge) STACK (née McNama
ra) , Deerpark, Newmarket-on-Fergus. Formerly of Glin, Co Limerick. RequiemMass in Sixmilebridge Parish Church today (Tuesday) at 12.30pm, followed by burial in Killeen Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Michael O’BRIEN
, 8 Summerhill, Ennis. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to the Clare 250 Mile Cycle. May he rest in peace.
PJ GINNANE
, Quay Road and formerly of Horse Island, Kildysart, Clare. Peacefully at his residence. Laid to rest in Kildysart. May he rest in peace.
Kieran MCNAMARA
, Portobello, Dublin/Kilkishen, late of Enagh East, Kilkishen. Laid to rest in Clonlea Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
James (Jimmy) RYNNE
, Ballykeale, Kilfenora. Peacefully. Laid to rest in Kilfenora cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Marie CLANCY (née McDonagh)
, Kilnaboy Road, Corofin, formerly of Glasha, Doolin. Laid to rest inThe Holy Rosary Cemetery, Doolin. Donations, if desired, toThe Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse Fund. May she rest in peace.
Patrick DILLON
, Muckinish, Ballyvaughan. Pecefully after a short illness. Laid to rest in Bishopsquarters Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Kathleen KELLY (née Phelan)
, Rock Bungalow, Old Gort Road, Ennis. Peacefully at the University Hospital Limerick. Laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Jane O’SHEA (née Sutton)
, Darragh, Ennis. Laid to rest in Ballyea. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May she rest in peace.
Hugh RICE
,Attyterilla, Ruan. Peacefully at Milford Hospice Limerick after a short illness. Laid to rest in Ruan Cemetery. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace
Eamon LEAHY
, 48 Cronin Park, Shannon. Laid to rest in Illaunamanagh Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Tony LYNCH
, Lissycasey. Peacefully at Cahercalla Hospice. Laid to rest in Lissycasey. Donations if desired toWest Clare Cancer Support and Cahercalla Hospice. May he rest in peace.
Martin QUEALLY,
Meelick, Inagh. Laid to rest in Inagh. Donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. May he rest in peace.
Michael ROUGHAN
, Ennis, Galway. Formerly of Ballyneylon, Fountain. Laid to rest in the new Cemetery,Athenry. May he rest in peace.