TWO sisters who were sexually abused by disgraced former cleric Con Cunningham say the church focused on protecting the institution rather than victims.

Speaking on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Barrscéalta programme Paula and Margaret Martin from Fán a Bhualtaigh, Fanad, said they felt “let down” by the Catholic Church.

Con Cunningham was sentenced to 15 months prison at Letterkenny Circuit Court last month for abusing Paula and Margaret when they were just young girls. Although the women had gone to the church three times over a 25 year period with their story, nothing was done until they spoke to gardaí in 2018.

Margaret Martin said it was clear where the church’s loyalties lay.

“I think they’re minding and protecting themselves and the institution all the time. They weren’t interested in or thinking of the people who had been hurt, they weren’t thinking about us.”

Paula said the church no longer had a role to play in their lives and that she felt the apology issued in a statement by Bishop McGuckian was not sincere.

“I don’t think it came from the heart. It was a kind of standard apology template with just the names changed and sent out to the media and the papers. It wasn’t heartfelt but Father Ó Dufaigh spoke out on Sunday in Creeslough and he spoke from the heart. That was good.”

In relation to having their names made public after the verdict, they said that they were empowered to do so as the secrecy had done great damage to them during their lives.

“It was really important for us to be free of the weight of secrecy. It was a heavy burden to carry and it put a great strain on us throughout our lives. We weren’t able to speak out because we were ashamed. That shame is gone now and maybe us speaking out will help someone else.”

They explained how Cunningham used to tell the children that the parish house was always open and that they had lots of ice cream and sweets and all the latest records there.

“He was clever, he was sly. He had a plan all the time, he had a way to tap into people’s vulnerabilities, and those of their families.”

Encouraging anyone who has endured abuse and who is struggling to seek help, the sisters added, “It’s not your fault, you don’t need to be ashamed and you’re not crazy.

“That first step is really hard, but there are people there to listen to you and to help you. It takes time and work and you need to have compassion for yourself, be gentle with yourself.”