29 Oct KRW Law Secures Significant Settlement in Historic Abuse Case Against Diocese of Down and Connor
We are pleased to announce the successful resolution of a legal action brought against the Diocese arising from historic childhood abuse perpetrated by Father Thomas Cunningham in the early 1970s
Cunningham was the first parish Priest of the St Agnes Parish and served in the role until early 1975. He was then moved to the Servants of the Paraclete facility in Stroud, England. This was a facility used to treat priests with addictions, but it is our understanding that a number of paedophile priests, including Malachy Finegan and Fr Brendan Smyth, where moved to this facility in response to allegations of abuse. It is our belief that Cunningham was moved to this facility because abuse allegations or rumours emerged.
Cunningham resigned in June 1976 and was precluded from returning to live in Belfast by the Church hierarchy to avoid any scandal. He died on the 16th January 1978
The client, who has chosen to remain anonymous, brought forward allegations of serious abuse perpetrated against him in parochial house when he was a child. The case has been settled for a significant six-figure sum.
This marks the second case involving allegations against Cunningham that we have settled within the past year with both settling for similar amounts.
Gary Duffy, Associate Solicitor, who represented the Plaintiff, commented:
“This settlement is a significant milestone for our client, who has shown remarkable resilience and bravery in coming forward to confront the trauma they endured. We are pleased to have brought this matter to a swift and dignified conclusion, ensuring our client received both acknowledgment and vindication for the abuse that they suffered.
However, it is deeply concerning that this is the second case involving Father Cunningham that we has settled within the past year. Paedophile abusers never ever perpetrate offending in isolation. It’s typically systemic and over a significant period of time. I’ve little doubt these two recent cases resulting in a around £400,000 in compensation, point to evidence of much wider disturbing levels of historic abuse.
The latest revelations about Fr Cunningham having been sent to the facility in Stroud chimes with what we know already about other paedophile abusers who were sent there by the church
We are aware from other proceedings that that notorious abusers such as Brendan Smyth and Malachy Finegan were sent there to be “cured “only to return and resume their abuse.
The Church tried to sanitise their behaviour by equating their criminality with other genuine conditions of addiction and mental health problems in the Stroud facility run by the Order of the Paracletes.
We’ve tried to get PSNI and Gloucestershire police to investigate but they’ve declined to do so.
We have in turn raised the issue with Stormont’s current investigation into Historical Clerical Child Abuse (HCCA). This case should provide more evidence that an Inquiry is required and should be established as a matter of urgency. It is vital that any Inquiry should include an investigation into Stroud facility as part of its terms of reference. We would urge the Executive to take urgent steps to bring forward legislation to establish an Inquiry into historical clerical abuse.
Understandably it took a very long time before the Survivors in these cases make took their first brave steps in coming forward. Equally that’s the same for many other victims who have yet to tell their stories
We urge anyone who may have experienced abuse to seek support and legal advice. No one should suffer in silence, and justice is possible no matter how much time has passed.”
We remain committed to supporting survivors of historic abuse. Anyone who has experienced similar circumstances and wishes to explore their legal options is encouraged to contact our dedicated Historic Institutional Abuse team for confidential advice and support.