Latest news with #Finegan
Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Irish blood, Australian heart – Owen Finegan looks back fondly on beating Lions and facing Ireland in front of family
Owen Finegan still has a presence, even though he uses it on stage and in a suit rather than with the ball in his hand like he did as a player. The son of Irish parents, Finegan is the only member of his family who was born in Australia. As a powerful back-row, he won a World Cup with Australia in 1999 and beat the Lions in 2001, before spending a season at Leinster under Michael Cheika in 2006/7.
Irish Examiner
12-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Tuam exhumation: 'Only the bones can tell us who they are and what happened to them'
A leading humanitarian forensic specialist, who will play a key role in the forthcoming landmark intervention at the Tuam babies' burial site, has said the 'children's bones will be able to tell their own story, if they are given a chance'. Oran Finegan will oversee the implementation of the forensic programme for the Tuam mother and baby home under the Director of Authorised Intervention. The first ever mass exhumation will begin on Monday, July 14, more than a decade after the scandal of the children being buried in the grounds of the home emerged, some it is believed in a disused septic tank. The site of the exhumation at the former Tuam Mother and baby Home. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/ Local historian Catherine Corless uncovered the names of 796 children who died in the Bons Secours institution for unmarried mothers during its operation from 1925 to 1961. She discovered there were death records but no burial records. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr Finegan the exhumation should not be 'shrouded in mystery'. 'Transparency is vital,' the forensic specialist said. 'What matters most are the families of the children and those affected most. But it should not be shrouded in mystery. The process is also about ensuring the families are kept informed, and it is of great importance to make sure the dead are not forgotten. 'Their identity should be given back to them where possible. All efforts should be made to give those who died a dignified resting place.' Mr Finegan will also be tasked with informing the families if the remains of their loved ones are found. 'Everyone reacts to our work differently,' he explained. 'We are there to give the facts of what we discovered and what the information shows us. Some accept our findings and others don't, and that's OK. 'But the need to know how someone died and the need to be able to mourn is universal.' He said human bones 'will always tell their own story given the chance'. 'There is so much bones can tell us, and I do believe they speak in many languages,' he said. 'They should be given the opportunity to tell us what happened. That may sound strange, but only the bones can tell us who they are and what happened to them. 'Bones need different interpreters and translators, from anthropologists to forensic genetics or orthodontal specialists." The Louth native's career has seen him working at the sites of some of the world's most horrific atrocities, including in the Balkans, Iraq, and South East Asia. He is a former head of forensics for the International Committee with the Red Cross. Over his 25-year career, Mr Finegan was involved in the forensic work in the aftermath of the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995 and the genocidal killing of more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys from the town. He has been watching the story of the Tuam babies mass grave in Ireland since it first emerged. Test excavations conducted in October 2016 and January 2017, led by forensic scientist Dr Niamh McCullough, found a 'significant quantity of human remains' at the site that were aged between 35 foetal weeks and two and three years. Mr Finegan provided advice at the time and joined the team two years ago. The intervention at Tuam overseen by director Daniel MacSweeney is mandated under the Institutional Burials Act 2022 to excavate the entire site and to recover any human remains. It is also mandated to individualise them where possible and give them a dignified burial. 'I can only look at the facts' Mr MacSweeney explained. 'This work is like a jigsaw, and we don't have all the pieces. Part of my job is to find out what happened. Daniel MacSweeney, Director of Authorised Intervention: 'This work is like a jigsaw, and we don't have all the pieces. Part of my job is to find out what happened 'What I am trying to do is build a multidisciplinary team so we can gain as much information as possible on the children's remains and evidence from the site. 'These things are never one-dimensional. Forensic medicine has advanced over the last few decades. A good scientist will step back and look at the best way to gather the information. The dead should be allowed to speak and to tell their story. He described his role as a 'sensitive' one, and from a humanitarian forensics point of view, he will be the intermediary between the bones and the families. 'The families should always be put at the centre of the work,' he said. 'I know the team and it is so important to see Irish forensic practitioners engaged in this project and to be part of this history, to understand our past.' The exhumation will look at the 5,000sq m of the centre area of the Dublin Road housing estate in Tuam, which was built after the mother and baby home was knocked down in 1961. 'As with any operation of this nature, you decide where you're going to start, you will have a small excavator, to gradually scrape away the soil,' he said. 'If you think of a trifle, it's made of layers. If you put a spoon into it, and then try put the trifle back together, it will never be the same. The soil is the same if there is any disruption to it. 'The team will look for changes in the soil. If they find any, they will then stop the machine and look at that with an archaeologist, and, if necessary, go by hand to excavate a specific place. 'The soil will be observed forensically, to understand what these layers mean.' When changes are identified in the soil, it will be examined further, until the archaeologist confirms the team can continue their work. All documentation, including photographs, artefacts, maps, and human remains, will be recorded at the laboratory.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Relief as 'monument to a monster' paedophile priest demolished
A man who said he was sexually abused as a child by a priest has spoken of his relief after the building where some of the attacks took place was taken down. Sean Faloon said he was repeatedly abused by the late Fr Malachy Finegan in Clonduff parochial house in Hilltown, County Down. The building, which became vacant shortly after the scandal emerged, had been vandalised and set on fire in recent years. Mr Faloon told BBC News NI he was relieved that the "monument to a monster is no longer visible". "It was stomach-churning for a lot of the residents of Hilltown and the parish to see that building," he said. "You could seen it for miles around. It was a daily reminder to them about what had happened in their community. "It's a relieving step for everyone." Finegan was the subject of sex assault accusations from several victims who were under his supervision as children when he worked as a parish priest in Clonduff and a headmaster in Newry. He died in 2002 without being prosecuted or questioned by police about the allegations. However, the Diocese of Dromore has since paid substantial damages to some of Finegan's former pupils from Newry's St Colman's College. The parochial house where he used to live on the Castlewellan Road in Hilltown has been vacant for years and was damaged in an arson attack in 2023. Last December, the parish announced plans to raze the empty building and use the site as a car park for the adjacent Catholic primary school. At the time, Mr Faloon said he found out about the plans through the media and criticised the parish authorities for not consulting him earlier. However, he supported demolition in principle and at one stage suggested he could help knock it down it as that might help him face his "demons from the past". But he said his request could not be facilitated due to "modern day building regulations". The structure had to be gradually dismantled rather than demolished, with many of its materials preserved for recycling. "I understand and I accept that," Mr Faloon said. Instead, days before the work began, he was allowed into the building for a final time in a visit facilitated by the current parish priest, Fr Charles Byrne. He spent almost an hour walking around the parochial house, reflecting on the trauma of his childhood abuse. "At the entrance door at the back it felt awkward because I could hear the doors closing and that's where the abuse began," he said. "In the living room it felt cold because I could see 13-year-old Sean sitting on the sofa. "The expression on his face said: 'Get me out of here'." He explained some sections of the building were more difficult to revisit than others, but overall the experience was cathartic. "I have succeeded in setting 13-year-old Sean free," he said. The Hilltown native, who now lives in Scotland, previously avoided visiting his hometown in daylight because seeing the building brought back painful memories. "I look forward to my next visit home to Ireland without that monument to a monster disturbing my view and disturbing my thoughts for the day." Fr Byrne told BBC News NI the parish wanted to help Mr Faloon and he hoped getting rid of the house would bring some "peace and healing into Sean's life". "It will be good when he comes back that the building will be gone," the priest said. "It won't bring full healing, but hopefully it will help." Fr Byrne also expressed a wish that the project would usher in a "new chapter" for the area and improve road safety in the vicinity of the school. The parish website says the cleared site will "become part of the school grounds for the good of the children". The website, which contains detailed plans, adds: "We propose to build a new hall and meeting room which will be for the benefit of our parish community." Mr Faloon, who is a former pupil of St Patrick's Primary School, said he was looking to the future and was pleased the school will make use of the vacant site. He said Clonduff parishioners have told him his old school "badly needs expansion" so he now hopes "they can take full advantage of this". There have also been some suggestions that a plaque or memorial garden could be added to the site in tribute to Finegan's victims. "If that was to happen I would be in favour of plaque," Mr Faloon said. But he did not support the idea of a garden as it "would need maintenance" and he would be concerned about ongoing costs to the parish. "Keep it simple," he said. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article details of help and support are available on the BBC Action Line. Sex abuse victim wants to 'face demons' before demolition Proposals to demolish parochial house of accused priest Priest abuse survivor speaks of 'secret'
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FWC investigating 9 manatee deaths in 6 weeks in the Homosassa River
The Brief The FWC is investigating nine manatee deaths in the span of six weeks in the Homosassa River. According to the FWC, at least 4 of the manatees have been necropsied. It is still too early to tell exactly what's causing the deaths. HOMOSASSA, Fla. - An investigation is now underway to figure out what caused several manatees to die in the Homosassa River in Citrus County. What we know Since February at least nine manatee deaths have been recorded. "It first started with neighbors calling me and saying, have you noticed all the dead catfish? And I said, yeah, you know, we've noticed like three, five herons. I don't know what's going on," Citrus County Commissioner Diana Finegan said. FWC has been investigating the manatee and catfish deaths since last week. According to FWC's website, fish kills occur frequently in Florida and in most cases they are the result of natural causes. However the amount of manatee deaths is puzzling for residents and people like Finegan whose district encompasses the Homosassa River area. "It's very concerning. Anytime you see death of any kind, even catfish floating in the water because you don't know what it's from. You know, fish kills happen. So maybe there was a changing climate or something reasonable that you could explain it," Finegan said. READ: Annual River O' Green Fest brings thousands to Tampa According to the FWC, at least 4 of the manatees have been necropsied. Most of the manatees found were 10 feet or longer. What we don't know As for what's causing the deaths, Finegan says an initial investigation by FWC found a different digestive biome in the manatees, but it's still too early to tell exactly what's causing the deaths. "We have very little information at this time. But I am thankful to our partners at FWC for bringing this up rather quickly and keeping their job and investigating," Finegan said. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jordan Bowen. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Bishop's House items sold to help settle abuse claims
The contents of a former Catholic bishop's home in Newry have been auctioned by the Diocese of Dromore, which will use some of the proceeds to compensate clerical abuse victims. In recent years the diocese was sued by a number of people who were sexually abused as children by Dromore clergymen, including the late Fr Malachy Finegan. The Bishop's House, set in grounds off Newry's Armagh Road, was earmarked in 2023 as being among the diocesan assets that could be sold to meet its liabilities. In a statement, the diocese said it was also selling the contents of the house to fund "various safeguarding matters, including redress for victims and survivors of abuse". Finegan, who died in 2002, was headmaster of the neighbouring St Colman's College boys' school and also served as parish priest in Clonduff, County Down. Some of his victims received six-figure sums in compensation after initiating legal action against the Diocese of Dromore, including one man who secured £400,000. A few months after that 2023 settlement, the diocese identified assets it could sell "in order to meet our existing and ongoing safeguarding responsibilities". These included the Bishop's House and adjacent lands close to St Colman's College. This week hundreds of items from inside the listed building, including ornate furniture, paintings and ornaments, went under the hammer. The auction attracted interest from several hundred bidders from around the world, according to Victor Mee Auctions, the County Cavan firm which handled the sale. Among the more significant items was a marble-topped table, originally from Tandragee Castle, which was bought by a priest in a 1950s dispersal sale. The table had a top estimate of €8,000 (£6,700), but on Wednesday it sold for €33,600 (£28,000). "We knew it was going to do a lot better than the estimate, but it probably went higher than we thought," auctioneer Brian Mee told BBC News NI. He could not reveal the buyer's identity but said the transaction meant the table would stay on the island of Ireland. "It's nice that it's staying, because it is a piece of Irish history," he added. At the weekend the Bishop's House was opened to the public so bidders could view its contents. Mr Mee estimated about 700 people visited the house over three open days, and a similar number of online bidders took part in the first auction on Wednesday. He added there was plenty of interest from the USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, the UK and across Ireland. Although there were more than 1,000 lots in the Bishop's House auction catalogue, many of them were not owned by the Diocese of Dromore. About half were from other estates, including some of the quirkier items such as antique guns and taxidermy animals. Asked if the Bishop's House has now been sold, the diocese replied: "The auction is taking place while the process for the sale of the house and lands is ongoing." The building is the former residence of previous Dromore bishops. The last man to hold that post was Bishop John McAreavey, who resigned seven years ago following criticism of how he dealt with Fr Finegan. Bishop McAreavey was not replaced when he stepped down in 2018 - instead his duties were taken on by apostolic administrators appointed by Pope Francis. Dromore's current apostolic administrator is the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin. In a letter to people in the Diocese of Dromore in November 2023, Archbishop Martin announced a proposal to sell the Bishop's House and nearby lands. At the time, he said some abuse survivors had taken compensation cases against the diocese and he was "conscious that remaining diocesan funds are limited". In the letter, Archbishop Martin repeated his apology "for the hurt and damage" caused to victims and survivors of clerical abuse, describing it as a "terrible wrong". He said he wanted to tell parishioners how the diocese was going to find the resources needed to meet its ongoing responsibilities "for the legacy of abuse and for keeping all children and vulnerable people safe now and in the future in all Church activities". However, one of Finegan's victims told BBC News NI he is concerned about how local parishioners will respond to the sell-off of Church property. Tony Gribbon leads the Dromore Group, which represents 15 men who were abused as children by clergy in the diocese. He said a damaging narrative was emerging that the diocese felt like it had to sell off "the family silver to pay off childhood sex abuse survivors". "We're frightened that there could be a public reaction if the Church continues to link redress to the selling off of key Church assets," Mr Gribben said. His group is also seeking reassurances from the diocese about what will happen to the archives of former Dromore bishops after the sale. The campaigner added the auctioned items may appear "glamourous" to some bidders but for Dromore survivors they will be forever "tainted" by association with abuse. Fr Malachy Finegan was recently described by lawyers representing his victims as "one of Ireland's most prolific child abusers". The priest was accused of abusing several boys at St Colman's College where he taught from 1967 to 1976, eventually becoming its headmaster. After leaving the school, he was appointed parish priest of Clonduff, where he was also accused of a long campaign of child sexual abuse. But during his lifetime he was never prosecuted or questioned by police about the allegations against him. Proposals to demolish parochial house of accused priest Finegan abuse survivor in £400,000 settlement Ex-pupil awarded £30k damages over alleged abuse Man abused by priest gets six-figure settlement
