Pat had a premonition of what was about to happen, but was powerless to stop it.
Patrick Jackman will never leave his children alone with a catholic priest
|
"There wasn't a phone in the place. If I ran out screaming in the middle of the night, I didn't know where the nearest place was. I didn't know if I went and knocked on the door if they would wake up or if they did wake up whether they would believe me or not. I had a terrible sense of being trapped and caged. It was bloody horrible, absolutely horrible."
Unlike many of the boys abused by Fr Fortune, Pat had the courage to tell his parents. His father was and still is close to the Catholic Church. He complained personally to Bishop Herlihey. "The Bishop thought it was ludicrous that a man of the cloth would act like that."
After the Bishop died, Pat's father complained to his replacement Bishop Comiskey.
To this day no one from the church has asked Pat Jackman about Fr Fortune or the events of that night.
Allegations mount
Dr Brendan Comiskey, the Bishop of Ferns, was informed of allegations of abuse against not just Fr Fortune but a number of priests, when he was first appointed.
Bishop Comiskey failed to stop Fr Fortune's abuse
|
Throughout the 80s, those allegations increased. On at least two occasions, Bishop Comiskey investigated, but came to no conclusions and did nothing to stop Fr Fortune.
Fr Sean Fortune was left in Fethard-on-Sea for six years before Bishop Comiskey finally removed him. He then sent Fortune to London to study media and communications and to seek therapy with a number of psychiatrists.
Two years later, Fr Fortune was brought back to Ireland, and given not only another parish and curacy, but also made the director of a Catholic media organisation, the National Association of Community Broadcasting.
Fr Fortune quickly turned his new role to his financial and sexual advantage. He raped a 15 year old boy in a studio booth where he recorded religious programmes.
The search for answers
Colm O'Gorman finally brought Fr Fortune's reign to an end in 1995. Aged 29, he decided to tell the Irish police about his experiences as a young boy. Colm feared Fr Fortune was still abusing.
Colm O'Gorman wants answers from the Catholic Church
|
The ensuing gardai investigation resulted in Fr Fortune being charged with 66 counts of sexual, indecent assault and buggery relating to eight boys. 18 years after the first complaint, the Catholic Church was finally forced to remove him from duties.
But instead of reaching out to Fr Fortune's many victims, Bishop Comiskey disappeared from his palace without explanation. It was discovered he had fled to an alcohol treatment clinic in the US.
He returned to his diocese six months later. Bishop Comiskey claims that the ongoing litigation prevents him answering the many questions about his and the Church's knowledge of Fr Fortune's child sexual abuse.
The response so far
Bishop Comiskey did, however, tell Correspondent that he maintains an open-door policy for all victims of child abuse in his diocese and this is where he can make his best contribution.
Fr Fortune committed suicide in the first week of his trial
|
Fr Sean Fortune killed himself in 1999 in the first week of the criminal trial denying his many victims their first chance to be heard.
The Catholic Church has never reached out in any way to the men in this film.
Colm O'Gorman, still hoping for some answers, is suing Bishop Brendan Comiskey, the Papal Nuncio and the Pope.
CONTACT DETAILS
One In Four
Helpline: 020 8697 2112
An organisation run for and by people who have experienced sexual abuse, One In Four offers one to one counselling, group therapy, advocacy, support and information to women and men. All therapists, members and workers themselves identify as having experienced sexual abuse. The organisation is London based but works nationally. We also offer training and information to professionals working to support people who have experienced sexual abuse.
Fire In Ice
Helpline: 0151 707 2614
A Merseyside self help project run by and for the adult men who have experienced childhood abuse, especially those who have suffered while in residential care. Fire in Ice aims to enable men who have suffered child abuse and their families to make positive change in their lives, also aims to make the care experience safe for children and young people. Fire in Ice offers one to one, group and telephone support in a friendly empathic environment also works with non-abusing survivors in prisons. Fire in Ice is made up of ordinary men who have overcome their abuse and want to help others do the same.
Derby Rape Crisis
Helpline: 01332 372545
Derby Rape Crisis aims to promote the recovery of any adult of any gender who has experienced rape or sexual abuse at any point in their lives.
Face to face counselling
Phoneline counselling and support
Accompanying clients to court, police, GP's, clinics, hospitals, etc
Counselling in minority languages
Sign language & Minicom system
Counselling room and facilities available for disabled clients
Click here to return
Suing the Pope: Tuesday 19th March 2002 on BBC Two at 23:20 GMT
Producer: Sarah MacDonald
Deputy Editor: Farah Durrani
Editor: Fiona Murch