Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
|
|
|
Two Catholic clergymen
are fighting their extradition from Sydney to New Zealand to face child sex
charges. Brother Rodger Maloney,
69, and Father Raymond John Garchow, 59, face a total of 32 sexual assault
charges against former students at a school for boys with intellectual and
learning disabilities. The two members of the
St John of God Catholic Order, who worked for the Marylands School in
Christchurch, are accused of assaulting boys in their care between 1966 and
1980. In February, Sydney's
Downing Centre Local Court ordered the pair be extradited to New Zealand, but
the men are seeking a review of the order in the Federal Court. Counsel for the pair,
Paul Byrne SC, opposed the order on the grounds that the allegations might
not have been made in good faith, and at least 25 years had passed since the
alleged offences occurred. He also submitted it
would be unjust or oppressive to surrender the men because they might not
receive a fair trial in New Zealand. Mr Byrne expressed
concerns about "the extent to which these allegations have been
publicised in New Zealand, and the atmosphere in which these men would likely
be tried". He said there had been
"an orchestrated campaign to try and encourage people to come
forward" with complaints of sexual abuse, raising questions about
whether individual allegations might have been "contaminated" by
the publicity. Differences in the
Australian and New Zealand justice systems also jeopardised the prospect of
the men receiving a fair trial, he said. The hearing continues
before Justice Rodney Madgwick. |