I'm just wondering...
Who were the abusers at Belvedere in the 1970s?
Some people – not many, admittedly – wonder why I want the Jesuits in Ireland to name the members of the Order who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse. Many, perhaps most, of these men are now dead. What good will it do now?
The Irish Jesuits were forced to name the three abusers that they have acknowledged – there was nothing voluntary about it - and they seem constitutionally unable to deal with the issue in terms other than what they see as reputational protection. Well, that boat sailed a long time ago.
One element in the Scoping Inquiry’s report that resonated with me and with many of my contemporaries is that 14 Jesuits at Belvedere in the 1970s have been accused of child sexual abuse, three in the preparatory school, now closed, and 11 in the senior house.
Now, I thought I had reached the stage with the whole sorry business of abuse at Belvedere where nothing could shock me. But this does. And I, and many of those with whom I was at school, can’t help wondering who was sexually assaulting little boys in our time – other than Joseph Marmion, of course. Sure, we have heard unsavoury stories about the deeply odd Brendan “Scratch” Kearney SJ and everyone knew that Gerry Spillane SJ was, to put it mildly, somewhat too tactile. I have a feeling that it was fairly innocently meant but, then again, I was never in any danger of being on his Junior Cup team (or any other rugger team).
But what of the others? Especially the three in the junior school. I never liked Finbarr Lynch SJ but I never suspected him of indecent behaviour. Surely it can’t have been the patrician and aloof Fr O’Sullivan? Or the stern but decent Hubert Delaney SJ? And what about Fr Brangan, who I always found to be kindly and gentle? Others may well feel differently about these men, of course.
But the fact that many of us are wondering who amongst the Jesuits in our time had an obsession with the genitalia of prepubescent boys provides yet another reason why the Order must do the decent thing, at last, and name the abusers. Otherwise we will harbour doubts about innocent men.
In 1975, there were 28 Jesuits in Belvedere. Consider that for a moment. The accusations listed in the Scoping Inquiry’s report may not all be considered credible but one has to wonder.
The Jesuits can stop our wondering and provide us all with facts.
(Note: all of Jesuits mentioned above are dead. If you want to know more of what happened at Belvedere in the 1970s you can read my DENY EVERYTHING: The Life and Crimes of Joseph Marmion SJ here on my Substack. There’s a substantial taster for free.)
I've been watching this from afar and wondering how much more can come out before this whole dreadful business can ever be over. The powers that be seem to have scant regard for the victims, who don't have to have been actually abused to be a victim. The fear of abuse renders one a victim, too.
I joined Belvedere in 1990, in first year. Some of the lads in that year had come through the Junior school and they’ve recently been talking of a guy called “Terry Byrne”. Apparently he was around 35-40 so may still be alive. He was friends with one of the well known abusers.
I didn’t witness any of the claims below but have heard directly from people who did.
He was in charge of rugby and insisted everyone showered naked, aged 8. He brought a camera into the showers. Kids who refused to shower naked were given detention.
During French class he would stuff marshmallows into kids mouths as “prizes”. Adults recalling this are disgusted.
Terry had his favourites, some are concerned they haven’t heard anything about those kids in a long time.
Many students raised concerns, most ignored.
After some adult complaints he left the school to apparently set up a language school. No one knows where he is now.
I think it would be important to find his location in the hope that some witnesses would make complaints to Garda.