Brian Ross wrote on Nov 13
th, 2024 at 11:58am:
A problematic case
The case was always problematic.
The man had already sought redress from the church over physical abuse he said he suffered at the hands of a female teacher.
The judge in the case noted it had been extraordinary that even with the assistance of solicitors the man never mentioned Father Coffey's actions during that process.
The court heard the man had had a difficult life, plagued by depression which he put down to the abuse, although he also didn't tell his psychologists over the years.
He told the court he had made little mention of the incident until he saw an advertisement in a local paper from some Canberra lawyers.
The judge found deep flaws in the man's account, but said the abuse was consistent with Coffey's other victims and accepted the advertisement had revived his memories.
Today's ruling is an important precedent for similar cases, where the alleged perpetrators and most of the witnesses have died.
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