TWO sisters who were sexually abused by a former Donegal priest have encouraged other victims suffering in silence to “come forward and find the support you deserve”.

Margaret and Paula Martin were abused by Con Cunningham when they were children.

The former priest was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment in July 2021 for sexually abusing the two sisters in the Fanad area while serving in the Diocese of Raphoe in the early to mid 1970s.

He pleaded guilty to eight separate counts of indecent assault in the early 1970s, involving two victims, Margaret and Paula Martin, who were aged between 11 and 13, and 9 and 12 at the time of the respective incidents.

Following a recent process of engagement, the Raphoe Diocese and the Martin sisters, supported by their solicitor, Caldwell and Robinson, issued statements this week.

In their statement, the sisters thanked their sons, who “lit up our lives from the day they were born and cemented our courage to keep walking”, family, legal team and clinicians.

“Dr Brenda Davies, consultant psychiatrist and spiritual healer, for her amazing care, support and love, and for guiding us to transform pain into positive action…..her light is very much part of this day.

“The GP’s at Ballyraine Park Surgery, our counsellors, and the complimentary therapists who supported our mind and bodies through this long process. Our solicitor Dariona Conlon, our barrister Fintan Valentine and the staff of Caldwell and Robinson Solicitors. The expertise of Dariona and Fintan shone every step of the way, not only in their legal support but also the understanding of the pain and their ability to hold the space with deep compassion.”

The women also thanked the representatives of the Diocese of Raphoe, Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Bishop Alan McGuckian and Bishop Phillip Boyce, whom, they said, took the courage to open and participate in this process. They paid tribute to Hannah Carney for facilitating the process “with such professionalism, creating a safe place for everyone and Edward Gleeson, who suggested this process of resolution and peace.

The sisters also thanked “the very courageous person who successfully took the first case against Con Cunningham, you gave us the courage we needed to speak”.

“Now we look forward to closing this chapter of our lives and allowing healing to finally close these wounds. We encourage others who are suffering in silence to come forward and find the support you deserve,” the statement concluded.

In an apology to the sisters, Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Diocesan Administrator, Diocese of Raphoe, on behalf of the diocese, addressed the shortcomings of the diocese.

“Our apology traces the history of how their complaints against Con Cunningham were addressed and the shortcomings of the diocese in the actions taken. Above all, it seeks to acknowledge the experience and perspective of these two sisters who have suffered so much and whose suffering were compounded by a lack of adequate communication and support on our part,” the statement reads.

“The desire of Margaret and Paula is one that is shared by me and which I hope will become more and more the culture of the diocese, namely to encourage those to come forward who have hesitated to do so and to know that they would be supported and accompanied in the actions they may wish to take. In particular, I would wish for a ‘pastoral conversion’, to quote a phrase beloved of the late Pope Francis, that communicates to victims of sexual abuse on the part of the clergy that they were not viewed in any way as a threat but rather welcomed as instruments of truth and justice. It is not easy to face behaviours and attitudes that shame us and call into question the nature and purpose of the church’s ministry.”

DEBT OF GRATITUDE

The statement added that the Raphoe Diocese and the whole church “owes a debt of gratitude to those who have come forward to seek justice and to put to rights the manifold wrongs of abuse”.

“In doing so they have deepened our understanding of the effects of these crimes and have done a great deal to ensure that our church environments are safer places in which our young people and families can grow in faith, love and life.

“I wish also to underline how clear it is to me that Margaret and Paula Martin have been deeply motivated from the beginning by a preoccupation for the safety and wellbeing of children in our Church and I know that this lies in the heart of the decision of so many others who have come forward. It is my hope that others who have experienced this trauma in their lives may feel they can have confidence in our diocese if they wish to come forward with the account of their abuse.

“It remains the obligation of the diocese to report all complaints to the civil authorities and to respect the processes that may be undertaken, but, along with the processes of justice, the journey of healing can begin.”

To report a concern, or complaint of child abuse, either current or historical, please contact Margaret Northage, the designated Liaison Person for the diocese on 0862183011.

You are also advised to contact statutory authorities including Tusla (074) 9102233, Garda National Protective Services Bureau 016663430.

In an emergency please contact Letterkenny Garda Station on (074) 9167100.

Free counselling and support is available through Towards Healing, and independent organisation providing professional support for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland. Freephone 1800 303416, freephone for hearing impaired 0858022859.