Many people are quoting the Murphy Report, but how many have actually read it? Continuing a series to allow readers a clearer insight into the work of the Murphy Commission and its findings, The Irish Catholic publishes further extracts from particular cases

Chapter 28 of the Murphy Report deals with Father William Carney.

Born in 1950, he was ordained in 1974 and served in Dublin from that date until 1989. Suspended from or restricted in his ministry during some of this time, he was dismissed from the clerical state in 1992.

Described as a ''serial sexual abuser of children, male and female'' by Murphy, the Dublin Report ''is aware of complaints or suspicions against him in respect of 32 named individuals. There is evidence that he abused many more children''. Murphy further points out that there is some evidence to suggest that Fr Carney ''may have acted in concert'' with other clerical abusers, two of whom are dealt with in their own Murphy chapters.

In the period 1968-1974, during his time studying at Clonliffe, Fr Carney and other students regularly visited children's homes. These were St Joseph's, Tivoli Road; St Vincent's, Drogheda; Lakelands, Sandymount and The Grange, Kill 'O the Grange. (Murphy is aware of three abuse complaints at St Vincents, one at St Joseph's and one at the Grange linked to Fr Carney)

St Vincent's, Drogheda

An industrial school, Fr Carney and other deacons would take residents away on holidays. Three boys complained about abuse by Fr Carney during these trips. Another priest later told gardai that Fr Carney once said ''you have to sleep with them because they are insecure''.

St Joseph's, Tivoli Road

An orphanage run by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. A boy claimed he was abused by Fr Carney while a resident. The boy went to stay with Fr Carney at Ayrfield parish (1977) where the abuse is alleged to have occurred. Indeed, in 1982, the nun in charge and a social worker expressed concern at the frequency of Fr Carney's visits to the boy. The boy's visits to Fr Carney's home were stopped in 1983, though that time, neither the social worker nor the nun suspected abuse.

The Grange, Kill O' the Grange

A private orphanage run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity. Fr Carney would take children out for trips, children would stay with him, and he would sometimes stay overnight at the orphanage. A girl subsequently alleged she was abused by the priest. Concerned, a staff member had told Fr Carney to stop seeing the girl in 1981, though contact was resumed in 1982. A social worker then told him he should not have contact with the girl. It emerged that the priest told the girl ''that he would look after her if she was pregnant'' (Murphy). Sometime around 1983 it was decided that children should not stay with Fr Carney. There were now suspicions about Fr Carney's contact with a boy resident.

(The Grange closed in 1982/83. The girl moved to An Grianan - in 1989 she told a social worker that she had been abused by Fr Carney at the Grange, including full intercourse)

An Grianan

An orphanage for girls run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity. The girl from The Grange stated that Fr Carney visited her there and took her out for the day on a number of occasions.

Another girl who visited Fr Carney at his Ayrfield home asked not to go again as he had tried to molest her.

(In 1977/78 Fr Carney inquired about fostering children. Single men were not allowed to foster, so the matter went no further.

Another such inquiry was made in 1980, and Fr Carney discussed the matter with Bishop James Kavanagh. Again, the matter does not appear to have proceeded any further.

In 1982 Fr Carney inquired about fostering a specific boy he had come into contact with. That boy would later allege that the priest had abused him.)

1983

The first recorded complaints against Fr Carney were made by altar boys in July (to An Garda) and by boys he took swimming in September (to the archdiocese).

The altar boys

The boys, two brothers, told investigating garda Finbarr Garland that they would sleep in Fr Carney's home and had gone on holidays with him. ''While in his house, one boy would usually sleep in Fr Carney's bed and Fr Carney would fondle him.''

Garda Garland investigated further, taking statements from other boys, but ''some parents whom he contacted told him to go away and not say such things about Fr Carney''.

Fr Carney subsequently turned up at the garda station with the PP of Ayrfield, Fr O Saorai and denied the allegations, claiming ''there were sinister or vindictive motives behind the complaints''. He was shocked to learn there were other allegations. (Despite this, Fr O Saorai did not inform the archdiocese)

A file on the case was sent to the Director for Public Prosecution in August 1983.

The swimmers

In September 1983, two sets of parents complained to the archdiocese about abuse by Fr Carney, having first gone to Fr O Saorai. He was reluctant to approach the archbishop, but did tell the parents there were other allegations.

One parent contacted Bishop Kavangh, and later described her approach as ''a waste of time as he never had time and always ended the conversation with 'pray for him'.''

One set of parents now contacted gardai. The other mother said she did not because ''she was ostracised by some of her neighbours for making a complaint to the Church''.

Shortly after, Fr O'Saorai contacted the archdiocese to express concern that money was missing and may have been taken by a boy staying with Fr Carney.

The Church investigation

In November 1983 Archbishop Ryan tasked Monsignor Alex Stenson and Canon Ardle McMahon with investigating the swimming pool allegations.

Interviewing the parents, the priests were asked to ensure that Fr Carney was not only removed from Ayrfield, but that ''no other parish or children be put at risk by his reappointment elsewhere''.

Interviewed, Fr Carney denied the allegations, but subsequently admitted ''horseplay'' in the pool that could have been ''misinterpreted'' by the children. Fr Carney then asked if he was entitled to receive the November Mass offerings (he was by now living in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, having been asked to leave Ayrfield for a month on the recommendation of Bishop Kavanagh). Fr Carney later expressed the view that Fr O Saorai was ''prejudiced against him''.

In November, the investigators issued their report having ''carried out the investigation quickly and thoroughly''. (Murphy) They said that Fr Carney ''is not suitable for parish; nor should he be appointed to an institution with children''. They also added: ''Fr Carney should be given legal advice. Should the DPP proceed, might it be advisable to have Fr C out of the jurisdiction?'' In a Murphy footnote on this: ''Msgr Stenson has asked the Commission to point out that the question of sending Fr Carney to Stroud was being considered and there were concerns about whether or not this would be appropriate as the DPP decision was pending.''

In November 1983, the DPP set a prosecution in train in respect of six boys.

Fr Carney pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault in relation to the altar boys. The judge granted the Probation Act having heard that Fr Carney was receiving psychiatric treatment (though this had yet to commence). After the hearing Fr Carney suggested a ''celebration with 'the lads'.'' Subsequently, a priest friend to Fr Carney, reported to the archdiocese: ''Fr C does not seem to realise the seriousness of the situation. He considers himself innocent.''

In December 1983, Msgr Stenson wrote to the swimming pool parents to assure them that Dr Ryan ''is taking every measure possible to ensure that there will be no recurrence of the problem''.

Archbishop Ryan ended Fr Carney's appointment at Ayrfield. Fr Carney now responded that he was due in St Patrick's hospital in January 1984 for psychiatric treatment.

1984

He was treated there from January until March. Then he was given temporary assignment to Clonskeagh under the direction of Msgr Michael Browne PP. He was to live in Milltown with the Marist Fathers. They were not made aware of Fr Carney's background. Msgr Browne said (in 1991 to the Church penal process) that he was told Fr Carney had alcohol problems. He told Archbishop Ryan that Fr Carney was ''reliable, punctual, always available for more work than he had been assigned''. Further, teachers at Masses in local schools felt he could ''really communicate with children''.

''Nothing was done as a result of this report. In fact, it would appear that it was regarded as a good report.'' (Murphy)

In July, Archbishop Ryan met Fr Carney who told him that he had not consumed alcohol since December 1983 and was adhering to his doctor's instructions.

Around this time, Msgr Browne said ''he was gravely disappointed with Fr Carney's behaviour as he had heard some reports which were not good; these were not specified''.

Bishop Carroll met Fr Carney, who was unhappy at not getting a permanent appointment. When Bishop Carroll walked Fr Carney to his car ''there was a young boy in the car''.

The parent of one of Fr Carney's victims now wrote to Msgr Stenson to complain of the nine-month gap in communication from the archdiocese, even though he had asked to be kept informed of ensuing events. Msgr Stenson communicated this to Archbishop Ryan, expressing his unhappiness ''that the parent was setting himself up as 'a moral watchdog on this priest's future activities and appointments' and did not think that he had the right to be kept informed of 'ensuing events'. This neatly encapsulates the Church's attitude to lay members during this period.'' (Murphy)

Met subsequently by Msgr Stenson, Fr Carney revealed that ''he had only pleaded 'guilty' in the court on legal advice and to avoid embarrassment for the diocese''. He attributed his failings, including ''dipping into Church funds'' on his drinking.

In October it was reported to the archdiocese that Fr Carney rarely stayed at the Marist house.

1985

In January new allegations were put to Fr Carney by Msgr Stenson and Bishops Carroll and Kavanagh. Among them ''were suggestions that he was frequently in the company of an 18 year old late at night''. Protesting his innocence, Fr Carney refused to consider travelling to Stroud and mentioned the possibility of going to Australia or challenging the allegations. He was given 24 hours to consider Stroud.

Two weeks later, Fr Carney wrote to Bishop Carroll to insist his problems arose from alcohol. The letter revealed he was living in Baldoyle on Dublin's northside, despite his instruction to be with the Marists and not to go to the northside.

Msgr Stenson asked for an update from Fr Carney's psychiatrist. ''It would appear that residential treatment was recommended.'' (Murphy) However, by now, Fr Carney ''was not recognising his problem and was prevaricating''. In March he stated he would not go to Stroud. Later, he would insist to Msgr Stenson that a counsellor he was attending ''did not believe, no more than I do, that I have a problem in this sexual area''. He was accompanied at that meeting by a youth. In response to the Stroud suggestion he told Bishops Carroll and Kavanagh: ''I do not believe it is what God wants me to do.''

In April, Archbishop McNamara withdrew Fr Carney's diocesan faculties. However, while now effectively suspended ''there did not seem to be anyone checking on what he was doing or where he was living''.

Fr Carney and his solicitor began to write to the archbishop to argue for his reinstatement. In September, Archbishop McNamara offered the option of Belmont Park Hospital in Waterford, and the care of Dr Lane O'Kelly (offering alcohol treatment, there is no evidence it dealt in abuse cases - it closed in 1992).

Only a short time there, Fr Carney ''started scheming to be allowed out at weekends'', and ''he was a less than enthusiastic participant in his treatment''. (Murphy) In November he discharged himself, though Archbishop McNamara insisted he return.

In December, he was allowed to say Mass.

1986

In January, Fr Carney was released from hospital on a trial basis. His faculties were restored on condition of regular attendance for treatment with Dr Lane O'Kelly and avoidance of areas, particularly on the north side of the city. He was appointed to Clogher Road over the string of objections of PP Fr James Kelly.

During the year, Dr Lane O'Kelly reported his satisfaction with the priest's progress.

1987

In December, it emerged that Fr Carney had not attended Belmont Park for about a year.

The same month, the former boy resident of St Joseph's told his foster parents he had been abused by Fr Carney. They reported this to the archdiocese and a social worker (the boy did not want to contact An Garda).

1988

Msgr Stenson established that Fr Carney was living alone at Clogher Road and children were staying overnight. He was working with the boy scouts and bringing children swimming. Msgr Stenson concluded that ''the appointment to Clogher Road was a mistake''.

It was decided to remove Fr Carney.

In April, Archbishop Desmond Connell met Fr Carney and allowed him to remain in Clogher Road on condition he attend a Dublin psychologist and not have youngsters stay overnight.

1989

In August it emerges that Fr Carney has been taking boys swimming, though not alone. The PP suggests ''a change for Fr Carney would be a good idea''.

Archbishop Connell decided to move the priest. A report from the psychologist points out that Fr Carney is ''still seeing a married woman and a single girl'' and while he did not engage in sexual intercourse, he felt free to indulge in a ''kiss and a cuddle''.

In October, Msgr Stenson suggests that if Fr Carney insists on living out his life in the priesthood, he might consider a monastic setting.

1990

In February, Archbishop Connell suggests Fr Carney consider laicisation. Following a period of ''pleading letters'' from Fr Carney, he is informed the process will begin in May.

Fr Carney began to work as a taxi driver. The penal process began in December.

1992

Following the proceedings of the penal process, William Carney was dismissed from the clerical state on March 9. He is found guilty of child sexual abuse.

In summing up the case of William Carney, the Murphy Commission points to numerous failings on the part of the archdiocese, in the area of monitoring, the lack of knowledge on the part of any one person of the problem. Overall, the handling was ''nothing short of catastrophic''. The archdiocese was ''inept, self-serving...and displayed no obvious concern for the welfare of children''.

Murphy notes all of this had appalling consequences for victims and their families, ''not least for those people who were abused after the Church had knowledge of Fr Carney's extensive history of abuse as, with appropriate handling, their abuse could possibly have been prevented''.