Clerical abuse survivor calls for end to character references in sex offence cases

[Jim Burton]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgj17wpy60o

A survivor of clerical abuse is calling for the Justice Minister to end or limit the use of character references in court cases, particularly in relation to sexual offences against children.

Tony Gribben, who was abused by the Catholic priest Fr Malachy Finegan, highlighted a case where two Catholic priests gave character references to a man convicted of sexual offences against children.

The priests in the Diocese of Dromore provided the references in 2022. The family of one of the victims declined to speak publicly but are understood to have been "incensed" at the move.