Canon Martin Clancy (deceased)

Canon Martin Clancy was accused of abuse for almost 30 years from the mid-1960s

Canon Martin Clancy was accused of abuse for almost 30 years from the mid-1960s

Among his victims were pupils attending Ballindaggin national school. One girl who gave evidence to the inquiry claimed she was abused by Canon Clancy from 1971 until she became pregnant with his child at age 14.

She gave birth to a girl in 1975 and the canon sent her two cheques for £500 for the child's upkeep. She claimed he threatened to have the child taken from her if she ever told anybody the child was his.

In 1999 after the canon's death a priest who executed his will sent the girl £3,000 and described it as "money which was invested by Canon Clancy and which I was to send you on maturity".

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When a complaint was made to Bishop Brendan Comiskey about the canon in 1991 he removed him as parish priest of Ballindaggin and he became curate in Kiltealy, about three miles away.

The report said "the inquiry was shocked at the duration and extent of the abuse allegedly perpetrated by this priest which in some instances appeared to involve the rape of very young girls".

It said he appeared to use his position to freely access children as young as nine. The inquiry found that members of the gardaí, teachers, medical profession and the church were aware of rumours concerning Clancy but no action was taken.