Marist priest gets five years jail for sexual abuse at college

At the Palmerston North District Court on April 8, Judge Bruce Northwood sentenced Fr Michael O’Donnell SM on one charge of unlawful sexual connection of a male between 12 and 16, as well as 15 charges of indecent assault.

The charges are representative, which means a single charge indicates multiple offences of the same type were committed in similar circumstances. O’Donnell had pleaded guilty to the charges in February.

Hato Pāora College near Feilding is a boarding school for Māori boys, which was founded by the Society of Mary. The college is no longer run by the Society of Mary, as it was in the 1980s, but is now operated by the Diocese of Palmerston North.

When O’Donnell was convicted, the Society of Mary expressed regret for “hurt or harm” caused by one of its members.

In a statement at the time, the Society of Mary said Police first investigated a complaint against Fr O’Donnell in the late 1980s, but never laid charges. Even so, he was removed from his post, undertook a psychological assessment, participated in a personal assistance programme and later returned to teaching in a non-residential school.

“In late 2021, the Society was advised that the complainant was asking police to reopen the case. In line with Church protocol, inquiry processes were halted when the police advised a new investigation was under way. Fr O’Donnell was removed from ministry in December 2021,” the statement read.

One of the survivors of O’Donnell’s abuse testified at the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care. The Commission referred the matter to Police. A subsequent investigation resulted in four more victims coming forward and charges being laid against O’Donnell.

At his sentencing, O’Donnell, now in his mid-70s, sat impassively, supported by his family and representatives of the Church in the public gallery.

Anyone who has a concern or complaint about abuse in a Catholic setting is encouraged to contact the Police or the Church’s National Office for Professional Standards on 0800 114 622.

FULL STORY

Father Michael O’Donnell jailed for historical abuse at Hato Pāora College (By Jeremy Wilkinson/NewstalkZB)