JOHN CALNAN CORK PRIEST SEXUALLY ABUSED GIRLS DURING CONFESSIONS IN CORK

In April 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving a retired priest named John Calnan, who was accused of sexually assaulting young girls during their confessions in Cork. The allegations revealed a pattern of abuse spanning several years, with the victims, now adults in their 50s, recounting their traumatic experiences from when they were children.

According to court records, the incidents took place between 1974 and 1978 within the Diocese of Cork & Ross. The victims, whose identities are protected for legal reasons, described how Calnan, who was ordained in 1964 and had not been active in ministry since 1992, exploited the confessional setting to commit these heinous acts. The investigation was initiated after complaints from three women, who recounted similar experiences of indecent assault while participating in church ceremonies in Cork.

One woman, who was only six years old at the time, detailed how she was taken into a room alone with Calnan at her local national school for her first confession. She recalled how Calnan placed his hand beneath her skirt while she was praying, and then proceeded to grope her inside her underwear as she continued her prayers. She remembered looking at Calnan with his eyes closed during the abuse, and after the assault, he placed his hand on her head, blessing her and telling her that her sins had been forgiven. This moment, she said, left a lasting impact on her, leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment that persisted into her teenage years.

In a powerful victim impact statement, she expressed how the abuse had devastated her life. She described feeling ashamed and dirty, losing respect for her own body and self-worth. She revealed that she no longer attends Mass, preferring to sit alone in church and speak to God privately. Her primary desire was for Calnan to admit that his actions were wrong, a plea that underscores the deep emotional scars left by the abuse.

Two other victims also came forward, recounting similar experiences of indecent assault during confessions held at schools or churches. One girl attempted to escape from Calnan, who insisted he was only trying to tickle her, while another described how he was rough with her during the incident. One victim expressed her fear of telling her parents, as they were friends with Calnan and held the Church in high regard. She feared that revealing the truth would devastate her family.

Calnan, now aged 79, appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of indecently assaulting three young girls. The court was told that he had served previous prison sentences for similar offenses, including convictions in 2012 and 2015 for indecent assault and attempted rape of other minors. Judge Sean O’Donnabhain described Calnan’s breach of trust as 'phenomenal' and emphasized that he was a serial offender. The judge also noted that some of the victims believed the abuse was part of the confession ritual, which he called 'an outrage.'

Given Calnan’s advanced age and serious health issues, the judge decided against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, he sentenced Calnan to 18 months in prison, suspended for the duration. Calnan, who has not been active in ministry since 1992, is currently residing at The Presbytery on Roman Street in Cork and remains under careful supervision. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the offenses and the profound betrayal of trust involved in these crimes, which have left indelible scars on the victims' lives.