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Allegations
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New Zealand authorities
are taking decisive measures to ensure a fair trial for two Catholic
clergymen accused of historical sex abuse at a Christchurch boys' school. Father Raymond John
Garchow, 59, and Brother Rodger William Moloney, 71, arrived in Christchurch
late on Wednesday from Sydney, after their three-year fight against
extradition failed this week. They were whisked away
from waiting media. Moloney faces 28
charges of abusing boys at Marylands, a Christchurch school run by the St
John of God Order. Garchow faces four
charges. Moloney and Garchow
were yesterday remanded on bail after a brief appearance in the Christchurch
District Court. Judge Patrick Mahony has ordered no images be published of
the pair until a further order is made. Details of where the
men are staying are suppressed. They must surrender their passports and
report to police. Detective Sergeant
Earle Borrell, of the Christchurch police, said the measures taken by police
to keep the men away from media were to ensure a fair trial. "It's not a matter
of being secretive. No doubt the public have an interest, but in the
interests of providing these people with a fair trial police have to take
these measures," he said. The efforts to ensure a
fair hearing come after an Australian Federal Court judge, Justice Rodney
Madgwick, in April suggested the two would not receive a fair trial in New
Zealand. Yesterday, Garchow and
Moloney stood impassively in the dock for their appearance. Lawyer Chris McVeigh,
QC, appearing for both men, asked for a two-week remand on bail without plea.
McVeigh said bail was
not opposed by police. Crown prosecutor Chris
Lange asked for a two-week prohibition of publication of images of the pair,
since identification could be an issue at any trial. The matter could be more
fully addressed later, Lange said. McVeigh said he
consented to non-publication of images. The judge remanded the
pair on conditional bail to November 2 without plea. Both men were taken out
by police through the court cell entrance, rather than the public exit usual
for people released on bail. Police escorting the
pair sped off from the court. The St John of God
Order is continuing to support the pair, but will not reveal where they are
staying, although it says they will not be returning to the location of their
alleged offences. St John of God Brothers
spokesman Simon Feely said the order was searching for a place where the pair
could stay. "Since being
bailed this morning, the order is now looking for appropriate accommodation
for these two members, accommodation apart from any of the order's
communities in New Zealand," he said. Although Moloney and
Garchow were no longer involved in duties for the order, it continued to
support them financially, he said. "As with any
member of any religious order, because they have no assets, no finances
individually, they are supported by the order to which they belong," he
said. "That support includes their legal fees, accommodation expenses
and so on." Male Survivors of
Sexual Abuse Trust spokesman Ken Clearwater said it was a relief the men were
finally in New Zealand to face the charges. "Just the fact they are here
is amazing for us and the guys." |
