Allegations of Abuse in Institutions


St John of God - Marylands - Index


2006/1 - The trial of Bernard McGrath

 




Newstalk ZB
March 6 2006;  12:40

St John of God head under fire

The head of the Australasian St John of God order has come under fire for the way he handled compensation payments in regards to allegations of sexual abuse at Marylands School during the 1970s.

Brother Peter Burke gave evidence today in the High Court trial of former Christchurch religious brother Bernard Kevin McGrath.

He is on trial on multiple counts of sexual abuse of boys.

Brother Burke told the court that approximately $5.1 million was paid out to complainants who contacted the Catholic Church in 2002.

Defence lawyer Raoul Neave asked Brother Burke why the claims were not investigated before the payments were awarded. Brother Burke responded saying he heard stories he thought he would never hear in his wildest dreams...and it was hard for him to then say they were made up.