GUS GRIFFIN, FORMER PRIEST, SENTENCED IN DUBLIN FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, SENTENCE REDUCED TO 18 MONTHS
In October 1998, a Court of Criminal Appeal reduced the prison sentence of Gus Griffin, a former priest and director of vocations for the Holy Ghost Fathers, from 7½ years to 18 months.The court announced that Griffin would serve the remaining time in custody under specific conditions, including his obligation to go to Mellifont Abbey and comply with the imposed restrictions by the Abbot.
Earlier, in July 1998, Griffin was sentenced to 7½ years in prison by Judge Cyril Kelly at Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court for sexually abusing two young boys.
One abuse took place at Kimmage Manor, the order’s headquarters, after the first victim expressed interest in joining the order.
Griffin had invited the boy to stay temporarily to experience life in the order.
The 76-year-old Griffin, of Kimmage Manor, Dublin, pleaded guilty in May to four charges linked to offenses committed between 1976 and 1983 across various locations within Ireland.
Judge Kelly sentenced him to four years for indecently assaulting a 10-year-old boy between January and May 1976, another four-year term for indecent assault on a teenage boy between June and August 1981, and one year for gross indecency with the same victim from April to September 1982.
A further sentence of 7½ years was imposed for buggery on the victim between April and September 1983.
All sentences were to run concurrently and commence immediately, with other charges on the indictment dropped by the prosecution.
Prosecutor Mary Ellen Ring stated that the victims did not object to Griffin being named publicly.
The court was informed that publicity surrounding the case of the late Fr Brendan Smyth influenced the victims to come forward.
It was also noted that neither victim had received professional counseling, and in one case, the family was unaware of the abuse.
Griffin, a native of Limerick city, had previously served as editor of Outlook and as director of vocations for the Holy Ghost Order.
Garda Margaret Morrell explained that the first victim, who lived near Kimmage Manor and attended mass there, became acquainted with Griffin through recreational activities in the Manor grounds.
Griffin later invited him to his room under the pretense of collecting stamps for mission fundraising.
The second victim, from outside Dublin, was introduced to Griffin via another Holy Ghost priest, leading to Griffin inviting him to Kimmage to learn about life in the order.
The first offense of indecent assault occurred during the summer of 1981 at Kimmage when Griffin inappropriately touched the victim after opening his trousers.
The gross indecency took place in a car park in summer 1982, while the buggery incident happened at Griffin’s home in Limerick, where the victim recalled feeling overwhelmed and wishing to die afterward.
Griffin responded to these allegations by providing a full confession when interviewed.
Griffin admitted that his sexual misconduct with boys began in the early 1970s and continued until about 1986.
At the time of assessment, he was residing in an enclosed religious order.
Defense lawyer Michael McMahon emphasized Griffin’s remorse, asking that he be allowed to publicly express his sorrow and regret for the harm caused.
Psychiatrist Brian McCaffrey, who saw Griffin in January 1995 and again in April for an evaluation, stated that Griffin no longer exhibited sexual urges towards minors and that his mental health was under control in the current environment.
Dr.
McCaffrey expressed concern about the impact of incarceration, suggesting that Griffin, despite his age and frailty, could receive necessary medical treatment if imprisoned.
Judge Kelly concluded that, despite Griffin’s age, imprisonment served both preventive and punitive purposes, and that proper medical care could be provided within the prison system.
