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Irish bishop disowns priest who supported sex offender

By
Donal Thornton,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:20 AM
Updated Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:45 AM

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Outrage over a priest's defense of a convicted sex offender has resulted in Bishop William Murphy of Kerry disowning the priests' behavior.

Up to fifty people had queued up to shake the hands of sex offender Danny Foley before he was sent to jail for 7 years earlier this week.

Fr. Sean Sheehy was one of those people. The priest also defended Foley, providing a character reference for the sex offender in court.

Bishop of Kerry William Murphy released a statement distancing himself from the actions of Fr. Sheehy.

“I wish to offer my sympathy to the victim and to apologize to her on my own behalf and on behalf of the Diocese of Kerry.

“I pay tribute to her courage. I hope what has happened will not undermine the progress that has been made in bringing perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.' said Bishop Murphy.

In an interview with the Irish Times, Fr. Sheehy said he wanted to "support him and let him know he was not alone. My christian responsibility was to the person who is the object of what I call, this extremely harsh sentence."

Police found the 22-year-old victim half naked beside a skip with Foley crouching over her. He denies sexually assaulting her. The victim has said that she has been demonized by villagers in her hometown in Kenmare. The victim said that since the sexual assault barmen refuse to serve her in her hometown.

When asked why he did not shake the victims hand, Fr Sheehy said he did know the victim but he "certainly would have shook her hand as well.”

Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald said the court case “exposes the continuing social prejudice against victims of sexual crime”.

The Senator also called for a debate about the treatment of victims of sex crimes.

“In light of the actions in the court house yesterday we must ask ourselves as a society, as a community, how we react to crimes of a sexual nature and the current level of support offered to victims of such crimes.”
 
Fr. Sheehy defended his actions and said he would do it again.

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5 Comments

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KathyCallahan | Dec 18, 2009, 07:43 PM EST
I hope the female victim feels totally vindicated and supported by those around her everyday. That somehow she can use the entire traumatizing and brutalizing Foley Sheehy ordeal to become a far brighter, kinder and even more resilient fighter for what is good and true in life.

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barneyjo | Dec 18, 2009, 06:23 PM EST
jacersisityourself, is this man merely another "rogue" cleric or are there more of his ilk still preaching the Gospel; or maybe more accurately, "a" gospel? Interested in your view

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jacersisityourself | Dec 18, 2009, 01:46 PM EST
Breaking Good News: Fr. Sheehy has left the parish after meeting Bishop Murphy today. His is an abomination for what he did in full public view. Now we'll want to know where he's gone...

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CER1940 | Dec 18, 2009, 12:59 PM EST
Sean Sheey is a disgrace to men everywhere, a disgrace to his country, and a disgrace to his church. If he is allowed to remain a priest, he should be assigned to a monestary and a life of prayer. I am tempted to say less dignified things about him but I will not.

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mollymcgee | Dec 18, 2009, 09:45 AM EST
Extremly harsh sentence??? What of the emotional sentence cloak of a lifetime for survivors? Why are the over seers not as guilty as the perps `when have known and covered the atrosities? The innocent priests and nuns of the world are also paying the price of this insanity!!! Oh yea, thats right, they are not the higher power of that system.....which are the untouchables......sigh....such moral decay and injustice!

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