The God Squad

By Jennifer Hough
Thursday, 14th July 2010

AT first glance, the mood in the harbour town of Cobh yesterday was like that on any other glorious summer’s day.

The waterfront was bustling, and busloads of tourists gathered outside the magnificent cathedral, taking pictures and marvelling at the spectacular views across the bay.

But behind the sunny facade, and away from the attractions, local people were all too aware of another story of their town.

For many, it was a black day due to the publication of the Cloyne report, outlining years of abuse under the watch of their bishop — Dr John Magee.

Although Cobh was his home for many years, many did not want to talk about what had occurred. Others admitted they were rushing home to watch the 3pm broadcast about the damning report into child abuse in the diocese.

In Jack Doyle’s pub, a group of men watching the TV coverage of the report expressed outrage that victims were not getting justice.

“Everyone was afraid of the priests and if you said anything against them you got a clip around the ear,” said one. “But now it has all come out and victims have told their stories, still nothing is happening. By the time they get around to charging them they will be dead and gone.”

Passing by St Colman’s Cathedral, across from Bishop Magee’s former home, was Helen Khan, who lived in Britain for about 30 years but has since returned to Cobh. She recalled that, even when she was a child, the bishop had always seemed as though he was above the people.

“He was never for the people, and if you are not for the people you are not for the children,” she said. “People are shocked and disgusted at what has happened, but we have all known for years.

“I remember when it was reported first, half the people got up and walked out of the church and never came back.”

Ms Khan said there was no doubt the church had been damaged by the revelations.

Other people spoke only on the condition of anonymity, saying it was a disgrace that most of the abusers outed in the report have never been brought to justice. and how sad it was that children had suffered such awful traumas.

One local said he was not surprised to hear of allegations against the bishop himself.

“I’m sure my own parents knew what was going on back then, but you couldn’t say anything,” he said.

“They were on the top and you were on the bottom and they had the power. There was always rumours about the bishop so it’s not surprising.”

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, July 14, 2011