Abuse survivor seeks to confront past trauma ahead of building demolition

An individual who states he endured sexual abuse by a priest within a parochial residence in County Down seeks to return to the structure prior to its demolition, aiming to confront his “demons from the past”. Sean Faloon is among multiple individuals who experienced abuse during childhood at the hands of the deceased priest, Fr Malachy Finegan. Finegan, who also served as an educator at St Colman’s College in Newry, faces allegations of extensive sexual and physical abuse targeting young boys. Plans to dismantle Finegan’s previous parochial residence in Hilltown were disclosed during Masses held over the weekend. However, legal representatives for Mr Faloon and other victims have expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the announcement, stating they learned of it via media outlets. Additionally, victims voiced concerns that the location designated for public consultation regarding the proposal is connected to the edifice where Mr Faloon endured abuse “on an industrial scale”. Mr Faloon, currently residing in Scotland, stated, “I can easily visualise and feel what I went through in that building, without even going into the country.” He clarified that he does not personally object to the demolition; rather, he thinks that participating in the process could aid him in addressing his trauma. Nevertheless, he informed the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme that victims perceived the parish’s management of the announcement as having “basically written us out of history”. He had requested the parish of Clonduff to “keep me updated” regarding the proposals for the parochial house, but indicated that this had not occurred. The public had received an invitation to examine the plans and offer their opinions at an event scheduled for Wednesday night at the Hilltown parish offices. However, Mr Faloon asserted that it was convened at “very short notice”, preventing victims from having sufficient time to prepare for such a gathering. Mr Faloon was unable to organize travel from Scotland to attend promptly. It was confirmed on Wednesday night that the meeting had been postponed. Mr Faloon stated that he had specifically asked to visit the parochial house located on the Castlewellan Road one last time, with the aim of assisting him in processing the trauma from his abuse. He elaborated, “It’s like someone revisiting the scene of a bad car crash. It’s difficult at the time, but it helps the person get back into the car and drive again.” He added, “I know that my emotions will be difficult to fight with, but it’s something that I have to manage myself to go through – to face my trauma, to face parts of my demons from the past.” Mr Faloon mentioned that over the six years since he publicly disclosed his allegations concerning Finegan, he has engaged in discussions about the building with Fr Charlie Byrne, Clonduff’s parish priest. He recognized that Fr Byrne has shown himself to be “very accommodating” when addressing his requests to visit the parochial house. “But I’m sure he can recognise that I’ve put that opportunity off, because it’s so difficult to do,” he commented. He clarified that the public disclosure of the demolition plans had created a sense of urgency for him, as he was not yet “mentally prepared” to enter the structure. Mr Faloon further stated that should the building ultimately be razed, he would wish to take part in the initial stages of its demolition. He expressed, “That would be, as a metaphor, knocking that area of my trauma out of my minute-to-minute daily life.” The legal practice KRW Law issued a statement representing Mr Faloon and two additional victims. The statement conveyed, “They are all angry and disappointed that no one saw fit to contact them about this news.” It continued, “It was retraumatising for our clients to learn about the development in the media.” The statement asserted that Mr Faloon had been “abused on an industrial scale in that building.” It also declared, “Hilltown parochial house was a hell hole for Sean Faloon and others.” It further stated: “Sean Faloon’s terrible ordeal ought to have been front and centre of any discussion on plans but it hasn’t.” The firm indicated it had been “instructed to write to the committee to take steps to remedy this obvious communication deficit.” It also commented that the manner in which the demolition proposals were announced “served to reinforce suspicions that some people would just prefer to erase all memories of the parishes’ very challenging historical links to one of Ireland’s most prolific child abusers”. The parochial house stands unoccupied at present and has been partially secured with boards following damage sustained in an arson attack during 2023. At Masses held on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, Fr Byrne presented a notice from the parish finance committee detailing future plans for the structure. The proposal suggested demolishing the house and utilizing its site as a car park drop-off zone for the adjacent St Patrick’s Primary School. Subject to planning permission, a new, purpose-built parish centre would subsequently be erected nearer to the contiguous St John the Evangelist Church Ballymaghery. Fr Byrne informed Mass attendees, “We all have had a difficult journey deciding what is best here but we feel that this vision opens an exciting new chapter for the gardens of our school community and for our own parish community.” Finegan also faced accusations of sexually abusing boys at St Colman’s College in Newry, where he served first as a teacher and later as its headmaster. Nevertheless, he was never prosecuted or interrogated by law enforcement regarding the allegations made against him prior to his passing in 2002. The BBC has sought comment from the Diocese of Dromore and Clonduff’s parish priest concerning the matters presented. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.