PRIEST MARTIN GREAANEY FROM TUAM AND CO MAYO SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In November 1997, a deeply disturbing case unfolded involving Father Martin Greaney, a priest from the Archdiocese of Tuam, who was sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to a series of heinous acts of indecent assault against young girls. The court heard that Greaney, aged 56 at the time, had inflicted harm on approximately 30 victims, most of whom were around 12 years old, over a span of more than a decade.

Judge Harvey Kenny delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the profound damage caused by Greaney’s actions. He stated that the priest’s conduct had irrevocably destroyed the lives of thirty young girls, highlighting the gravity of the offenses committed. The court was told that Greaney, who was attached to the Archdiocese of Tuam, had confessed to having paedophile tendencies that persisted for 30 years, a revelation that shocked the community and the church alike.

In a statement to Gardaí, Father Greaney openly admitted that he could offer no justification for his behavior. He expressed remorse, saying, “I can’t offer any excuse for my behaviour. I found it impossible to stop myself. I’d give anything to be without these sexual urges.” His guilty plea covered 13 sample charges of indecently assaulting eight girls across counties Mayo, Galway, and Tipperary, with incidents dating from 1979 to 1990.

Descriptions of Greaney’s character painted him as a charismatic figure, often surrounded by children. His abuse took place in various locations, including private homes, his presbytery, and schools. On two separate occasions, he indecently assaulted a girl in the choir gallery of a church, often luring victims with sweets and money to facilitate his crimes.

Details emerged that in October of the previous year, Greaney had admitted to indecently assaulting four girls in County Mayo. Media reports of his appearance at Castlebar Circuit Court prompted another victim from County Galway to come forward, leading to further statements from other victims. Many of those affected suffered long-term psychological trauma, with some struggling to form relationships afterward. One victim attributed the breakdown of her marriage to the abuse she endured, while another expressed a desire to kill Greaney.

Several victims reported a loss of trust in priests and the church community, feeling betrayed by someone they once looked up to. Detective Garda John Clancy, who was commended for his diligent work on the case by Judge Kenny, revealed that the abuse was uncovered through a psychologist in Dublin treating one of the victims. The investigation uncovered that Greaney, a local curate and family friend, had taken a 14-year-old girl home after a wedding, offering her a lift. During this encounter, he took her to his house under the pretext of checking messages, where he unbuttoned her blouse and touched her on the breast and leg.

The victim, now aged 24, described her trauma in a victim impact statement, saying, “I’m full of anger. I want to kill him. It’s like I had no childhood. I feel people around here resent me for reporting a priest.” Another victim, who was sexually abused by Greaney in the sacristy of a church, recounted how he ejaculated beside her during the incident, which occurred while her mother was dying. This victim’s life changed dramatically, becoming withdrawn and turning to alcohol in her late teens.

Further accounts detailed Greaney’s inappropriate conduct at a primary school in 1989, where he was seen putting his arm around an 11-year-old girl and feeling her breasts outside her blouse while chatting with other children. He also moved his hand toward her genital area before stopping, leaving her feeling “dirty and disgusted.” Another young girl, aged 10, was assaulted in a neighbor’s house after a Station Mass, with Greaney returning to the after-Mass gathering afterward.

Additional victims included a woman who, at 29, reported being abused multiple times weekly by Greaney in 1981, while she was in primary school, having to bring him newspapers during lunch. She blamed her ongoing relationship issues and divorce on the trauma inflicted by Greaney’s abuse. Another girl, aged 8 at the time, was assaulted in Greaney’s house and in the church’s choir gallery in 1989-90. She now, at 17, suffers from mood swings, temper issues, and strained family relationships, which she attributes to the abuse.

It was revealed that Greaney was born in Tuam and received his education locally. He was ordained in 1967 and served in six different parishes before being suspended in 1995. Since then, he had not been active as a priest and was undergoing counseling and therapy in Stroud, England. Notably, he had donated a kidney to his brother in 1972 and was held in high regard within the communities where he served as a curate.

In his statement to Gardaí, Greaney expressed remorse, saying, “I wanted to say sorry to the children, to the church and to the communities in which I had worked. I didn’t deliberately set out to cause anybody any harm.”

Prior to sentencing, a representative of the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Michael Neary, addressed the court, expressing concern for the victims and offering the church’s support services. He also conveyed the archbishop’s sadness for Greaney’s family and prayed that the reputation of the priests would not be tarnished by these events.

Judge Kenny condemned Greaney’s breach of trust, emphasizing the profound impact on the victims’ families and the community. He stated that the priest’s actions had caused irreparable damage, not only to the victims but also to the reputation of the church and the trust between priests and parishioners. The judge highlighted that many victims no longer wished to attend Mass or have any dealings with priests, reflecting the deep scars left by Greaney’s misconduct.

Concluding his remarks, Judge Kenny sentenced Father Martin Greaney to seven years in prison, marking a somber chapter in the ongoing effort to address abuse within the church and protect vulnerable children from predatory individuals.