BILL CARNEY, THE INFAMOUS PAEDOPHILE PRIEST FROM NORTHLEACH, DIES IN IRISH JAIL
| Red Rose Database
Northleach Rapist
In a shocking turn of events, Bill Carney, a notorious paedophile priest with a long history of abuse spanning decades, was found dead in his prison cell at a Midlands jail in Ireland. The 73-year-old, who had been suffering from heart problems, was discovered unresponsive after his cellmate alerted prison authorities. Emergency services responded promptly, and Carney was transported to Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Carney’s death occurred just before his scheduled trial, effectively ending any chance of justice for his numerous victims. His criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling, with allegations of sexual abuse against dozens of children from various institutions. He was widely regarded as one of the most prolific and dangerous offenders within the Irish Catholic Church’s history of clerical abuse.
His name was prominently featured in the 2009 Murphy Report, a comprehensive investigation into the cover-up of child sexual abuse by the Catholic Church and Irish authorities. The report described Carney as “a serial sexual abuser of children, male and female,” and detailed how suspicions and complaints against him had been ignored or inadequately addressed. It identified allegations involving at least 32 individuals, with evidence suggesting that many more children had fallen victim to his predatory behavior.
One former altar server recounted a chilling account during a BBC documentary, stating, “I heard a groan and I saw in the bedroom, a boy, a little older than me, naked between the sheets.”
Bill Carney’s journey into priesthood began in 1974, and during his tenure, he exploited his religious position to target children from at least eight different children’s homes. His abuse extended beyond the church, as he took children swimming, on holidays, and even used them as golf caddies. His misconduct also included abusing children during the 1970s and ’80s while involved with a scout troop, where he used a state-of-the-art video player to lure children to his home under the guise of watching movies.
Despite numerous complaints, investigations, and court proceedings, Carney’s criminal record was limited. In 1983, he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault, receiving probation, and six families received compensation. He was allowed to continue working and even operated a guesthouse in St. Andrews, Scotland, until his marriage ended and he moved away. His criminal activities, however, did not cease, and in 2013, he was extradited back to Ireland to face 34 charges of indecent assault on eight males and two females.
His defrocking came in 1992 after church authorities convicted him under canon law of child sex abuse. The Murphy Report criticized the Irish Catholic Church’s handling of Carney’s case, revealing that Bishop James Kavanagh had a “soft spot” for him and did everything possible to shield him from scandal. The report condemned the Church’s response as “inept, self-serving,” and noted that for nearly a decade, there was little concern for the welfare of the children involved.
Carney’s activities extended beyond Ireland. After his defrocking, he moved to Scotland, married a woman named Joan, and operated a “family-friendly” guesthouse in St. Andrews. Despite being exposed in 2009, he continued to live relatively openly, even enjoying a holiday cruise in the Mediterranean in 2012, where he was recognized by a witness. The witness described seeing Carney on the P&O cruise ship Ventura, surrounded by families and children, yet seemingly unbothered by his past.
Carney’s presence on the cruise was met with concern, as witnesses noted his evasiveness and the fact that he gave a different name for his wife. The cruise line described the Ventura as “very family friendly,” with extensive children’s facilities. Despite his notorious history, Carney appeared to live without restrictions, and he was not registered as a sex offender in the UK.
In a letter to a local newspaper in Northleach, Carney claimed he posed no threat to children, asserting that he had been a recovering alcoholic for over 30 years and had only minor traffic violations. He insisted that he had lived near a playground for seven years without incident and compared himself to public figures who had been given second chances, such as Andy Coulson. Carney expressed hope for understanding and asked for a second chance, despite his past.
His claims were met with skepticism, especially given the detailed findings of the Murphy Report, which highlighted his extensive history of abuse and the Church’s failure to adequately address it. The report also revealed that Carney had refused to admit to his paraphilia despite civil court cases and evidence against him. His death in custody marks a tragic end to a life marred by abuse, cover-ups, and failed justice efforts, leaving many victims without closure.
Carney’s death occurred just before his scheduled trial, effectively ending any chance of justice for his numerous victims. His criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling, with allegations of sexual abuse against dozens of children from various institutions. He was widely regarded as one of the most prolific and dangerous offenders within the Irish Catholic Church’s history of clerical abuse.
His name was prominently featured in the 2009 Murphy Report, a comprehensive investigation into the cover-up of child sexual abuse by the Catholic Church and Irish authorities. The report described Carney as “a serial sexual abuser of children, male and female,” and detailed how suspicions and complaints against him had been ignored or inadequately addressed. It identified allegations involving at least 32 individuals, with evidence suggesting that many more children had fallen victim to his predatory behavior.
One former altar server recounted a chilling account during a BBC documentary, stating, “I heard a groan and I saw in the bedroom, a boy, a little older than me, naked between the sheets.”
Bill Carney’s journey into priesthood began in 1974, and during his tenure, he exploited his religious position to target children from at least eight different children’s homes. His abuse extended beyond the church, as he took children swimming, on holidays, and even used them as golf caddies. His misconduct also included abusing children during the 1970s and ’80s while involved with a scout troop, where he used a state-of-the-art video player to lure children to his home under the guise of watching movies.
Despite numerous complaints, investigations, and court proceedings, Carney’s criminal record was limited. In 1983, he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault, receiving probation, and six families received compensation. He was allowed to continue working and even operated a guesthouse in St. Andrews, Scotland, until his marriage ended and he moved away. His criminal activities, however, did not cease, and in 2013, he was extradited back to Ireland to face 34 charges of indecent assault on eight males and two females.
His defrocking came in 1992 after church authorities convicted him under canon law of child sex abuse. The Murphy Report criticized the Irish Catholic Church’s handling of Carney’s case, revealing that Bishop James Kavanagh had a “soft spot” for him and did everything possible to shield him from scandal. The report condemned the Church’s response as “inept, self-serving,” and noted that for nearly a decade, there was little concern for the welfare of the children involved.
Carney’s activities extended beyond Ireland. After his defrocking, he moved to Scotland, married a woman named Joan, and operated a “family-friendly” guesthouse in St. Andrews. Despite being exposed in 2009, he continued to live relatively openly, even enjoying a holiday cruise in the Mediterranean in 2012, where he was recognized by a witness. The witness described seeing Carney on the P&O cruise ship Ventura, surrounded by families and children, yet seemingly unbothered by his past.
Carney’s presence on the cruise was met with concern, as witnesses noted his evasiveness and the fact that he gave a different name for his wife. The cruise line described the Ventura as “very family friendly,” with extensive children’s facilities. Despite his notorious history, Carney appeared to live without restrictions, and he was not registered as a sex offender in the UK.
In a letter to a local newspaper in Northleach, Carney claimed he posed no threat to children, asserting that he had been a recovering alcoholic for over 30 years and had only minor traffic violations. He insisted that he had lived near a playground for seven years without incident and compared himself to public figures who had been given second chances, such as Andy Coulson. Carney expressed hope for understanding and asked for a second chance, despite his past.
His claims were met with skepticism, especially given the detailed findings of the Murphy Report, which highlighted his extensive history of abuse and the Church’s failure to adequately address it. The report also revealed that Carney had refused to admit to his paraphilia despite civil court cases and evidence against him. His death in custody marks a tragic end to a life marred by abuse, cover-ups, and failed justice efforts, leaving many victims without closure.