MARTIN KERR'S RE-IMPRISONMENT IN BELFAST AND LARNE: JUSTICE REVISITED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE VICTIMS

In July 2005, a significant development in the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of child sexual abuse occurred in Belfast and Larne. A man known as M, now 25 years old, who had endured years of torment at the hands of Martin Kerr, was finally able to see some measure of closure as Kerr was ordered to return to prison.

Martin Kerr, a former sacristan at St Peter's Cathedral in Belfast during the 1980s, was a predatory sex offender whose actions left deep scars on multiple young boys. Kerr's criminal history includes a previous conviction in 1998, when he was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to 48 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency involving five boys. Kerr had exploited his position as a church leader and a member of the church activity club to befriend and manipulate vulnerable children.

It was only after Kerr was released from his initial sentence that M, who is now married, disclosed to police that he too had been subjected to Kerr’s abuse. This revelation prompted further investigation, leading Kerr to face new charges. In court last March, Kerr pleaded guilty to these additional allegations, but instead of receiving a custodial sentence, he was placed on probation for three years. This decision left M and his family devastated, feeling that justice had not been fully served.

However, a recent appeal decision has changed the course of Kerr’s punishment. The court ordered Kerr to surrender himself within 48 hours so he could be taken to Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim to serve an additional year behind bars. This ruling was a response to the appeal made by the Attorney General, who argued that Kerr’s previous sentence was unduly lenient given the severity of his crimes.

Supporters and victims’ families expressed relief and a sense of justice. M’s wife told the Daily Mirror, “This is a victory for justice, for my husband and our families who have been devastated by Martin Kerr’s abuse. We can start our lives now. We were pleased he was jailed and it doesn’t matter that it was only for a year. And even though he will probably only spend six months in prison, we’ve been told that he’s terrified of going back there, and that gives us a little feeling of justice. Maybe it’ll give him a little taste of the terror he put all those children through.”

Outside the court, M expressed his relief, stating, “It’s the first day of my life. Somebody has finally done me justice. I could not have asked for anything better.” Tragically, one of Kerr’s victims, Paul, aged 21, took his own life in 1999 after an accidental encounter with Kerr on the street.

Kerr, now 40, had moved from his rented residence in Larne to a hostel in Belfast following his initial imprisonment. His case drew attention not only because of the crimes but also due to the efforts of individuals like Bishop Pat Buckley, who had attempted to rehabilitate Kerr over several months. Buckley expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “Martin Kerr had no interest in repenting or trying to sort his life out. Jail is the best place for him, and it is some justice for the children he hurt and their families.”

The case was referred to the Appeal Court by the Attorney General, who believed Kerr’s original sentence was too lenient. The appeal was upheld by Lord Chief Justice Brian Kerr, who sat alongside Lord Justice Campbell and Mr Justice Hart. The judges disagreed with the trial judge’s conclusion that Kerr would not have received a harsher penalty if prosecuted earlier. Sir Brian Kerr emphasized that a more severe punishment was warranted, considering the profound psychological damage Kerr inflicted on his victims, damage that continues to affect them to this day.